Every Picture Is a Compromise
Lessons from the Also-rans
Most photography websites show the photographer's very best work. Wonderful. But that's not the full story of a creative life. If we want to learn, we'd better pay attention to the images that aren't "greatest hits" and see what lessons they have to offer. Every picture is a compromise — the sum of its parts, optical, technical, visual, emotional, and even cosmic – well, maybe not cosmic, but sometimes spiritual. Success on all fronts is rare. It's ok to learn from those that are not our best.
This is a series about my also-rans, some of which I've been able to improve at bit (i.e., "best effort"), none of which I would consider my best. With each there are lessons worth sharing, so I will.
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Original digital capture
What I saw that I liked:One of my favorite kinds of light is the shaft of light. What I don't like in the picture:Yes, but . . . it needs to be illuminating some subject that makes sense. The one above is nice light, but I'm not crazy about the subject. What I learned:The subject at left is more interesting. (Same place, same room, same shaft of light.) Too bad I didn't make a more careful choice of angle and composition. This is one of the disadvantages of handheld work for me. I know this would be a more interesting image had I used a tripod and framed it more carefully, taking my time to find a better angle. As it, it's ok, but not great. 2nd Chances: What I might try nextI'll be photographing again in some museum houses in a few weeks. I'll have a chance to do better. |
