The phrase “one-eye jack” has always caught my attention. Most people know it as a card in a deck, where the jack is shown in profile, one eye hidden from view. Fun fact—depending on the deck, only the jack of hearts and the jack of spades are traditionally one-eyed, while the clubs and diamonds jacks are shown in full. Why does it matter? It doesn’t, really, but it’s a quirky little detail, and in photography, details matter.
For me, the idea of a “one-eye jack” goes deeper. It’s a metaphor for focus—singular, concentrated, and intentional. In a world bursting with distractions and shiny objects, having “one-eye jack focus” is critical to making remarkable photographs. Photography, at its best, is an art form that demands discipline. It’s not about chasing every scene or snapping every pretty thing that catches your eye. It’s about choosing one subject, one moment, one frame—and giving it everything you’ve got.
Let me be clear: I haven’t always been a one-eye jack. Early in my career, I was all over the place. I’d roam with my camera like a kid in a candy store, chasing every little thing. Landscapes here, street portraits there, a random patch of flowers next. Sure, I got a few keepers, but more often than not, I was left with a pile of mediocrity. My images lacked cohesion because my mind was scattered.
Then one day, it hit me. I was standing in the middle of a bustling street in Lisbon (yes, one of my all-time favorite cities), juggling a dozen visual ideas at once. I took a breath, closed one eye—literally—and focused on the frame in front of me. The result? A single, powerful image that told a story better than the dozen scattered attempts I’d made earlier.
This is what happens when you’re not focused: your photos feel random, your compositions lack intention, and you’re left chasing moments rather than creating them. But when you adopt a one-eye jack focus, everything changes. You start to see clearly. Your eye isn’t darting around like a ping-pong ball; it’s locked in, waiting for the decisive moment.
When I shoot now, especially with my iPhone, I’m methodical. I approach each scene with purpose. What’s the story here? What’s the one element that deserves my undivided attention? Photography isn’t a sprint—it’s a slow, deliberate act of seeing and choosing.
This is why I believe remarkable photography is impossible without focus. The camera doesn’t create magic; the person behind it does.
You have to decide what matters in the frame, what deserves your energy, and what doesn’t. You can’t shoot everything, just like you can’t win every hand in cards. But if you play your cards right—focus on the one eye—you can win the ones that matter most.
So, here’s my challenge: the next time you’re out shooting, channel your inner one-eye jack. Shut out the noise, close one eye if you have to, and focus with intention. You’ll be amazed at what you see.
Click.
Jack.
