Is photography more about learning to see or to ignore part of what you see?

When we photograph, do we focus more on what we want to leave inside or outside the frame?

Photography is a form of expression that involves both things, perhaps impossible to dissociate. Perhaps it is as important to learn to see what interests us as it is to choose what to ignore. It's the uncertain balance of making the right choices about what to include or exclude from the frame.

One of the fundamental components of photography is composition, along with light and the moment. We know that there are themes that work, such as details, patterns, shapes and movement, that have the potential to create a captivating photograph. Experience, talent, practice and knowledge of the visual language of photography are essential to making the right choice about what to include in the image.

On the other hand, ignoring certain elements or distractions within a scene is also equally important. The key is capturing the essence of a scene while making choices about what to enhance and what to exclude. It's a delicate balance between seeing the raw reality and deciding how to improve it to make the image more impactful.

When framing and exposing a photograph, we make choices about what to include or exclude from the frame. It depends on the aesthetic sense of the photographer or the message he wants to convey.

This question leads me to think of another: so, is the photographer a creator or an editor?

Villa Sousa, Graça, Lisbon

PS: Would it be interesting to see, to appreciate a photographer's artistic ability, along with the chosen image, the omited details?