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
What I saw that I liked:Raindrops on a table of stainless steel. Lovely. I think I'll take a picture. Better get the camera parallel to the table top, so reach high overhead. What I don't like in the picture:I'm still laughing at myself for not anticipating the shadow I would cast as I held the camera overhead. Because it was raining pretty hard, I darted back to the car and didn't chimp this one. I didn't discover my shadow until I upload the images to Lightroom. Geez. What I learned:Several lessons with this one: As a three-dimensional being (ahem), I cast a shadow; it's ok to chimp in the field; it's an option to wait until the rain stops and then make the exposure. [Insert forehead slap here.] 2nd Chances: What I might try nextI think the idea behind this image is still a good one I'd like to try again. I'm not sure there is any hope for this image capture — unless I add more shadow and turn it into a bunny, or a unicorn. What would you do? |
