Anyone who has children has heard their lament. “There’s nothing to do. I’m bored. It’s always the same around here!”
I’ve already discussed how photographers are never bored. We always have a camera nearby.
When the camera is in our hand we often search for everything being the same. We need repeating patterns to help define a space. They shape it, mark its size, its depth, a composite rhythm that moves our eyes around a photo forcing our brain to register the order of objects, their relationships and differences.
Then we dissect the grouping, looking for blips in the mosaic or secondary objects within the grid that interfere with the structure. The perceptual experience of the search draws us closer to the design making the interfering object more chaotic. We are drawn to it as the primary subject, the center of interest.
Today’s photo has all these elements.
An overhead lattice of metal ribs for the roof is the grid. A multitude of rows of varying styles of hanging pots create several repeating patterns. A worker breaks up the patterns placing himself in an open space between pots without blocking the pattern.
A photo of the hanging pots, even with their different styles and colors would not have created an interesting photo. It would have been just a photo of hanging pots in a nice pattern.
The worker’s shape, location, and color, breaks up the patterns pulling our eyes to his movements. He then becomes the subject helping to define the photo’s story.
The red tag placed at the top third corner of the photo at right breaks up the grid pattern, adds a contrasting color and holds the viewer’s interest longer.
