Juxtaposition seems like such a hard word, doesn't it, but it is a concept quite easily grasped when explained to you using pictures.

Basically it means capturing the relationship between subjects in a photo so that each part of the image has some bearing on and relativity to the other.

There is another word in photography which means just that but at the end of this post I'll direct you to another site and that site will contain a link to a post which reveals the word to you. It's all the excitement of the learning process, seeing is doing.

Unfortunately, the photos I found on the web were not brilliant although each has some point of reference which clearly uses the technique, which comes naturally to professional photographers. It can be too artistic a presentation for some who merely want to see a "picture" of "photo" of certain objects and are really not at all concerned with their relative placement. A sad fact of life but a true one.

I can remember one of my best photos, taken from a ferry which highlighted the technique showed the white navy ensign which formed the spinnaker sail billowing out in full wind and placed very effectively next to Fort Dennison.

It was a masterpiece of photographer as I first had to instantly recognize its merits and be very speedy with shutter to capture it immediately, as the sail was a moving object and seconds either side would destroy the particular placement, moving objects require just so much speed when compared with a non moving image, but the result is all the more rewarding. Skilled photographers recognize this but the unskilled would just as soon have the photo of the whole ship or of the whole island or of both close by each other which would still be juxtaposition, but not with such flair and photographic excellence as the other.

I put up photos elsewhere, from Reuters daily galleries and one does see a greater degree of excellence there, rather than these photos taken from the web. I find it a very rewarding experience looking at these photos as amongst the 'also rans' there is always the brilliant.

Sometimes, however, it is just the ordinary that is available and they serve their purpose just as well as the extraordinary.

So when you are out with your camera, do look at what you photograph from the perspective of juxtaposition and you will find the images you produce can be very rewarding.

It doesn't matter that, if at first, they are not sensational; it is the awareness of the technique which you will increasingly develop as you move forward with your photography skills, that is important.

So have a really good look at these photos and what I have told you about them, think about it and then try to practice yourself, such images are all around you, all you need is the camera and a good eye and of course, lots of practice, either with a skilled photographer with you, on your own, or with someone who will allow you the freedom to stop and experiment as you go.

The reference I am giving you is to one of to-day's Reuters galleries and you'll find another link there and you'll find out just what that other word for juxtaposition is.

http://www.photographytips.com.au/living-under-a-bridge-and-juxtaposition/

Just remember to take your camera with you, and happy and rewarding 'shooting'.