A photograph can capture one’s attention and immediately stir emotions. As your curious mind tries to decipher its backstory, you’re also left in awe of this image that speaks a thousand words, as the cliché goes.
The images on the Utterly Interesting subreddit are excellent examples. All 91,000 members share a fascination for captivating snapshots, many of which are historical moments frozen in time.
We picked out some of the group's best pictures, those that stood out to us. Hopefully, they strir up your curiosity.
#1 A Seaman's Request For An Extraordinary Leave Of Absence, 1967
Image credits: dannydutch1
#2 Museums Are Great
Image credits: dannydutch1
#3 A Black Friday Event I Can Get On Board With
Image credits: dannydutch1
Looking at these images may beg the question, “What makes a photograph captivating?” The answer will, of course, depend on who you ask. For underwater photographer Eric Engbretson, it’s the product of the photographer’s appreciation and oneness with their subjects.
“If you fall in love with your subjects and let them teach you, it will be impossible for your images not to mirror that love and appreciation,” Engbretson wrote in an article for LinkedIn.
#4 This Seems Relatively High. This You? If So, Why?
u/No_Curve_8141:
The industry started making sound levels abhorrent. The apologists will say that it’s your fault because you don’t have a mega lit sound system, but it’s the same way in movie theaters now. Inaudible dialogue with ear-shattering music and explosions.
Imprison the sound engineers I say.
Image credits: screaminbeaman82
#5 Replica Dog Tags Of Every Soldier Who Never Made It Back From Vietnam
Image credits: senorphone1
#6 The Skeleton Of A Stingray
Image credits: No_Dig_8299
For wilderness landscape photographer Shane Davila, a captivating photograph has a third characteristic outside of pleasing composition and technical proficiency: impact. Davila's article for Wild Scenic simply defined it as “a subject caught in a unique moment.”
“It is the photograph’s ability to capture the genuine attention of the viewer for some extended period of time,” he wrote.
#7 Jon From 1997, Clearly One Of The Good Guys
Image credits: dannydutch1
#8 A Historic Journey Of Bridges. Devils Bridge Near Aberystwyth, Wales. The Original Medieval Bridge At The Bottom, The 18c Turnpike Road Bridge In The Middle And The Modern 20c Bridge Above
Image credits: dannydutch1
#9 A Man Looking For A Wife In 1865. His Potatoes Were Bully So I’m Sure He Didn’t Have To Look For Long
Image credits: dannydutch1
An eye-catching photo follows the basic “rules” of symmetry, framing, and composition. But for Walla Walla-based photographer Victor Attoh, these rules are more of guidelines to assist in creativity. For him, a captivating photograph offers a unique perspective.
“A new perspective can bring new life to the same old scenes,” Attoh wrote in an article for the Discover Walla Walla website, referencing a quote from motivational speaker Wayne Dyer that says, “If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.”
#10 Museum In Japan That Showcases Various Naturally Formed Rocks With Faces On Them
Image credits: dannydutch1
#11 C.s. Lewis' Advice To A Young Girl On How To Become A Better Writer
Image credits: dannydutch1
#12 The Size Of This Flag Flown On A Spanish Ship At The Battle Of Trafalgar (1805)
Image credits: dannydutch1
Photos that grab attention tell a story through images. You don’t need to read the caption to know what it’s all about, as the image itself helps you create the narrative. For Denver-based photographer Justin Viens, the storytelling aspect adds the most value.
“The narrative behind an image draws the viewer in and gives the photograph a lasting impact,” Viens wrote in an article for his website.
#13 Inside The Walls Of Mont Saint-Michel, France
Image credits: dannydutch1
#14 In The Atlantic Ocean Off The Coast Of Iceland Is A Lighthouse At An Altitude Of 40 Meters
It was built on Westman Island in 1939 a time when helicopters were not yet in use. Master climbers were used during its construction and for transportation of materials.
Image credits: reddit.com
#15 Kathleen Did Not Light Up A Room
Image credits: dannydutch1
We’d also like to hear your thoughts, dear readers. Which of these photos grabbed your attention the most and why? Share them in the comments, and feel free to upvote the ones that caught your eye.
#16 The Seiko TV Watch Back In 1982
Image credits: dannydutch1
#17 These Were Sold During Prohibition Era As Flavour Blocks To Make Juice. The Box Came With Dried Grapes With Fermentation Instructions How “Not” To Make Wine
Image credits: dannydutch1
#18 Home Coming- Jimmy Stewart And His Dad Outside The Family Hardware Store, Indiana, Pa., 1945
Image credits: dannydutch1
#19 Douglas Adams' Grave Has A Bouquet Of Pens And A Small Towel Laid Out For Him. I Think He'd Appreciate This
Image credits: dannydutch1
#20 “First The Man Takes The Drink, Then The Drink Takes The Man.” Made From Bronze, Glass, And Silver Patina By Thomas Lerooy In 2014
Image credits: dannydutch1
#21 The Grave Of An American Pilot Buried By Imperial Japanese Troops. The Sign Reads "Sleeping Here, A Brave Air-Hero Who Lost Youth And Happiness For His Mother Land. July 25 - Nippon Army". Kiska, Alaska, 25 August 1943
Image credits: dannydutch1
#22 The Spiral Staircase In Loretto Chapel, Santa Fe, Known As The "Miraculous Staircase," Built Without A Center Support And Without Nails
Image credits: senorphone1
#23 Storyboards Martin Scorsese Drew When He Was 11-Yrs Old For A Roman Epic: “The Eternal City”
Image credits: No_Dig_8299
#24 A Little Alpine Refuge That Was Built More Than 2700m Above Sea Level In Italy’s Dolomite Mountains (Mount Cristallo)
This refuge has been built inside one of the peaks of the massif, with brick walls, a slanted roof, two doorways and four windows framed in wood.
Image credits: dannydutch1
#25 At The Wank Mountain In Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, This Wankbahn Brings You To The Wankhaus On Top, Where There's A Wank View Observation Area
Image credits: CarkWithaM
#26 To All The People That Have Learnt (Or Are Learning) English As A Second Language, I Salute You
Image credits: dannydutch1
#27 From A 1909 Dictionary Of Victorian Slang. I Say We Bring Back 'Got The Morbs' Into Common Parlance. (When Relevant)
Image credits: dannydutch1
#28 In A 1977 Edition Of Vogue, This Was Printed As A Sensible Way To Lose 5 Lbs In 3 Days
Image credits: dannydutch1
#29 One Of Stalin’s Pipes, Depicting Him And FDR Playing Chess. It Was Given To Him In 1945 By The Visiting Us Chess Team
Image credits: dannydutch1
#30 That Time In A 1933 Article When Frida Kahlo Was Referred To As Someone’s Wife And Her Art Was “Gleeful Dabbling”
Image credits: dannydutch1
