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Pick of the pics: finding connections special

2 years ago

Odd numbers are often favoured in art: a still life is more likely to have five apples rather than six, nine prints rather than four is more common on a gallery wall and a triptych is an artwork seen more and more in photography. It's thought a composition will be more dynamic if there's an odd number of elements in a composition - creating tension and interest. While many find aesthetic joy in uneven numbers, even numbers – or pairs – shouldn't be dismissed.

One of the most pleasing tasks in photography is the ability to match images with others, offering viewers the opportunity to find similarities in what they are presented. While making the edit for this week's Pick of the Pics I was struck at the end of the process by how noticeable pairings could be made. This wasn't a mark of the entries being repetitive or unimaginative, far from it: it showed how photographers can view a familiar scene, use a particular lighting technique or highlight a certain subject matter and create a completely different, but complementary image. See what connections you make when viewing the selection below. 

© Angus Mitchell, United Kingdom, entry, Open Competition, Architecture, 2023 Sony World Photography Awards.jpg

© Chris Malchow, United States, entry, Open Competition, Architecture, 2023 Sony World Photography Awards

© Matthew Boulton, United Kingdom, entry, Open Competition, Natural World & Wildlife, 2023 Sony World Photography Awards

© Prasad Kumbhar, India, entry, Open Competition, Natural World & Wildlife, 2023 Sony World Photography Awards

© Petr Bouda, Czech Republic, entry, Open Competition, Street Photography, 2023 Sony World Photography Awards

© Pradeep Kodimana Ramakrishnan, India, entry, Open Competition, Street Photography, 2023 Sony World Photography Awards

© Rebecca Olarescu, Romania, entry, Open Competition, Lifestyle, 2023 Sony World Photography Awards

© Robyn Barron, Australia, entry, Open Competition, Natural World & Wildlife, 2023 Sony World Photography Awards