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:Delicate feather on a fallen leaf — simple, poignant, elegant, natural — even symbolic. What I don't like in the picture:Absolutely unbelievable. Honest to God, I found this feather on this leaf exacly as you see it — but I know you will never believe me. Some things just look so staged and manipulated that they can never be believed, and this is a classic example. Don't get me wrong, I'm not above moving something if I think it improves the photograph, but I didn't move anything here. And here is the problem: What makes this photograph interesting is that the feather wasn't placed there. As a pure accident of nature, this is kind of fun. But because it is so easy to assume this is manipulated, the photograph loses all its attraction and feels very trite. And there is nothing the photographer can do to erase that assumption on the viewer's part. What I learned:Make the picture anyway. Even if I am the only viewer who will believe this was found as is, maybe it's just for me to enjoy it. Period. I do love the shadow of the feather, and now that I've seen that, I'll keep my eye out for it in other feather opportunities. 2nd Chances: What I might try nextA small project of feathers with leaves might work because even if the viewer assumes it's manipulated, it might not make a difference. Hmmm..... |
