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:Chicken feet booth. That's right, I said CHICKEN FEET BOOTH. At the street market in Hainan, China in 2012. What I don't like in the picture:The chicken feet are clear and in focus, but the woman vendor with eye contact is substantially out of focus. She was also deep in the shadows, but that can be corrected with some careful post-processing. What I learned:Shot at 14mm with my 7-14mm zoom. I would have thought I'd have plenty of DOF, but not at this close distance. I should have shot at 10mm or so and she probably would have been in focus. Still deep in the shadows, but at least in focus. As is, there is nothing I can do to salvage this picture except maybe cut her entirely out of the composition. Too bad. 2nd Chances: What I might try nextWith ultra-wides, get closer. With ultra-wides, get closer. With ultra-wides, get closer. I shall repeat 97 more times to drill this into my head. |
