Focal Point

‘fō-kəl ‘point – a center of activity, attraction, or attention

In nature photography, having a focal point – some part of an image that draws the viewer’s attention – is critical to creating a worthwhile photo. What constitutes a focal point can vary substantially from one photograph to another. However, most focal points have a couple of elements in common. First, a focal point must be in sharp focus. Second, a focal point must stand out from its background or surroundings.

Let’s look at several examples. In the photograph below, my eye is drawn to the two landforms in shadow in the center of the image – Washer Woman Arch on the left and Monster Tower on the right.

The next image is from our yard. To help the pollen-covered stamens stand out from the background, I positioned them against the maroon-colored petal.

And one more. In this shot of a firefinch, I used a narrow depth of field and a catchlight in the bird’s eye to draw the viewer’s attention to that part of the photo.

Having a focal point is also important in the life of faith. In his letters to fellow Christians, Paul wrote about this on numerous occasions. One of these instances that stands out for me is in the middle of his epistle to believers in the Asia Minor city of Colosse:

Since you have been raised to new life with Christ,
set your sights on the realities of heaven,
where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand.
Think about the things of heaven,
not the things of earth.

– Colossians 3:1-2 (New Living Translation)

For Paul, it was critical that people of faith not blend into their current culture or circumstances. They could avoid this, the apostle pointed out, by focusing on not where they were, but where they were headed. By keeping their destination in sharp focus, it helped keep them from being distracted by their surroundings.

One of the most challenging solo photographic treks I ever undertook was many years ago in a remote section of northern Arizona. Much of the three-mile one-way, up-and-down hike was either trudging through soft sand or carefully walking on steeply-sloped sandstone slabs. And most of my journey was without the benefit of a trail. Before I set out, I had been advised to keep heading towards a certain geographic feature high up on a ridge. Only by doing that did I safely arrive at my destination.

“For where your treasure [or focal point] is,
there your heart will be also.”

– Matthew 6:21 (NIV)

Remain focused on what God has called you to do.
Keep your eyes on Christ.
Avoid getting side-tracked by things
that are not good, Godly uses of your time, talents, and thoughts.

– David Jeremiah