10 Best Juxtaposition Examples to Inspire Your Photography

Juxtaposition

Juxtaposition is a powerful compositional technique where you place two elements side by side to emphasise their differences. These elements don’t need to be complete opposites; they just need to be distinct enough to create a striking visual contrast.

Photographers have a variety of tools at their disposal to make their images compelling and impactful. From practical effects and narrative elements to diverse compositional techniques, the possibilities are endless.

Among these techniques, juxtaposition stands out as one every photographer should master. It adds depth and meaning to your photos, helping you tell more engaging stories. By learning to use juxtaposition effectively, you’ll enhance your skills and become a more versatile photographer.

In this article, we’ll explore the concept of juxtaposition in photography. While our introduction provides a solid foundation, the accompanying photos will offer a clearer understanding of how you can apply this technique to elevate your work.

What Is Juxtaposition in Photography?

Juxtaposition occurs when there are two or more elements in a scene that contrast with each other. The contrast between the two things often creates a theme in your image.

Juxtaposition involves more than just placing two things side by side. The close proximity of one thing to another adds significance to both objects. The combination should not be arbitrary, but rather deliberate.

That doesn’t mean images that use juxtaposition have to be staged or crafted. You can work that way. But you can also find things in the world around you that interact with each other in this way. 

In order to create a point of juxtaposition, a picture must contain at least two elements with strong visual weight. The viewer looks at both of these at the same time, concluding the purpose of each element.

What makes juxtaposition such an interesting compositional tool? It is based on the comparison of two different objects or elements.

Contrast can be achieved when two opposing things are involved, adding either tension or humor to the image. Conversely, similarity between two things can bring harmony and balance to your image.

The effectiveness of juxtaposition is most evident when the comparison of two elements adds depth to the image. Placing two unrelated items side by side is unlikely to evoke a strong reaction from the viewer. However, by carefully choosing the two elements, their juxtaposition can enhance the overall meaning of the image.

Forcing Juxtaposition

It’s one thing to be aware that juxtaposition exists when you’re taking a picture. But it’s another to go looking for it.

Taking a picture of a homeless person passing by a large bank is something that anyone can do with patience, rather than skill.

Having a deeper knowledge of composition enables you to grasp the essence of a scene at a glance. Comprehending composition is fundamental for capturing a quality image.

The most subtle cases of juxtaposition result in stronger photos.

10 Juxtaposition Examples

Take a look at the 10 examples of juxtaposition we have provided below. They may motivate you to come up with comparable situations.

1 - Animate vs Inanimate

Indeed, that is Picasso depicted in the artwork. The piece shows Picasso seated at a table, with bread rolls serving as his hands. The effectiveness of this image lies in its subtlety. Initially, your gaze is drawn to his eyes and the direction of his focus.

This scene is considered a juxtaposition because it presents the unexpected. Hands catch our peripheral vision, and only when we direct our focus do we perceive the conflict.

2 - Big vs Small

Simple instances of juxtaposition involve presenting two contradictory concepts within a single image. This can be achieved by highlighting variations in size, for example.

Deliberately, we incorporate both a large element and a small element. This can be enhanced by the interaction between the subjects.

In this instance, the individual appears tiny in comparison to the massive mountains.

3 - Black vs White

Colours in photography often demonstrate the concept of juxtaposition, with black and white being the ultimate example of contrasting hues.

This is because black and white have significance beyond their role as colours.

4 - Fat vs Skinny

Another easy aspect to consider is the physical contrast between subjects who are fat and skinny. This technique can also be applied to other objects by highlighting them in a crowded image.

The visual contrast and juxtaposition in this picture are undeniable.

5 - Emotion vs Emotionless

All the time, photographers make use of the distinction between the foreground and background.

At this moment, we are employing the juxtaposition of foreground and background interactions. In the background, there is a couple on the billboard kissing, while the two in the foreground are turned away from each other.

6 - Human vs Machine

When juxtaposition is used, it can evoke the surreal. In this case, we see an aerial photograph utilizing patterns and juxtaposition.

The absence of a car in the puzzle disrupts the expected pattern, while the naked individual juxtaposes the natural and artificial elements.

7 - Growth vs Destruction

Juxtaposition may not always be readily apparent in our surroundings. At times, we have the ability to construct it through post-processing. In this instance, a photo combining a tree with an atomic bomb mushroom cloud was created. The image encapsulates both death and life.

8 - New vs Old Architecture

Architecture is almost inescapable. It tells us so much about the place and time of the picture taken. Consider the image below.

We see the array of different architectural styles in the foreground. The huge skyscraper in the background overshadows these. Out with the old and in with the new.

9 - Young vs Old

There is nothing more touching than seeing images that depict both people of different generations. These visuals capture the transfer of knowledge, cultures, and traditions through their connections, serving as a gentle reminder of life's transience and the swift passage of time.

10 - Poverty vs Idealism

Billboards are an excellent method for reflecting the state of the country where the image was captured. They act as backgrounds for showcasing products, services, and public messages.

Here, the billboard confidently declares that this country has the "highest standard of living in the world." In the foreground, a line of people can be seen waiting for food, often known as the breadline.

It is strikingly noticeable that the individuals in the background who appear content are all white, while the queue for bread comprises solely people of colour. This speaks volumes about the situation.

11 - Power vs Weakness

Images featuring solitary subjects are my favourite as you have most probably seen reflected in my minimalist style of photography. They provide a point of reference for the scale of the scene. Without the presence of this young boy, it would be difficult to gauge the size of those steps, or even identify them as steps.

Gazing at the initial step, the boy notices numerous steps stretching out before him. The image showcases the bold and distinct lines in comparison to the small boy, who currently seems too tiny to ascend them.

One day, little one!

12 - Vintage vs Modern

We have a strong affection for antique items and settings. Just take a look at fashion, art, architecture, and music if you doubt me. Whatever you can think of, we have a nostalgic interpretation of it.

It teaches the younger generations what life used to be like through objects, styles, colours, and patterns.

In this scene, two boys dressed in modern clothing are exploring a retro room. The furniture and ambience exude a sense of age, making it a timeless image even without the presence of the boys.

13 - Past vs Present

On the left side, there is a contemporary portrait of Terence Stamp, a distinguished actor in both stage and film, exuding a sense of authority. On the right side, a younger depiction of him is displayed.

By utilizing an outdated image, he conceals and reveals the two sides of his face simultaneously. We can analyze the distinctions between the two facial halves, observing the impact of time and aging on his appearance.

Conclusion

By reviewing these examples of juxtaposition, we trust that you have gained insight into this compositional technique. This newfound knowledge will enable you to identify juxtaposition instances in your surroundings and utilize them to elevate your photography.

Don't feel restricted to using clichés when starting with juxtaposition. Begin with any juxtaposition example you come across. As you engage in a few photoshoots with juxtaposition in mind, you will eventually discover distinctive examples that will enhance the quality of your photography.