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.
|
Original digital capture
Bird WeekAs I've confessed before, I am not a "wildlife photographer." I do, however, like using birds in my compositions. They are such great metaphors for all kinds of emotions. What I saw that I liked:What I saw was the tree overhead. I love photographing what I call tree bones. What I don't like in the picture:This was a quick shot pointing the camera up and shooting without compensating for the bright sky. I should have told the camera to overexpose a couple of stops. What I learned:And then the three birds flew into view! Wow, talk about being lucky — again. I'm beginning to think that luck is a major component of this kind of photography. I love that these three birds are all captured in a different pose with their wings. 2nd Chances: What I might try nextFor some reason, this feels right to me as a ivory/yellowish monochrome image. Am I right about this? |
