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:Not sure what these large pots are used for, but they are all over the island of Hainan, China. What I don't like in the picture:How hard would it have been to eliminate those plants sticking up from the bottom? Was I lazy or blind? What I learned:One of the advantages of having a questionable memory is that we can discover unknown gems in our own Lightroom catalog. I found this one at left as I was looking for candidates for this blog. What a lovely image! I have no recollection of making this photograph. Another example of how our Lightroom catalogs can be a source of creative inspiration. Now if I can just remember that lesson. 2nd Chances: What I might try nextI wonder what other forgotten images I might combine with this one into a small project? |
