Subtraction for Clearer Images

Photographer Pat Kay asserts that cluttered images lack a clear subject, not necessarily an excess of elements. He introduces subtraction as a key skill, broken into three levels: adjusting zoom, physically repositioning, and pre-visualization. This approach emphasizes making compositional choices before pressing the shutter, rather than relying on post-processing. Kay suggests focusing on clarity over simplicity, asking if an image can be understood instantly. Subtraction, in this context, is about deciding what deserves to remain in the frame to best serve the main subject.