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:There is a sheen to this bark that I thought was simply gorgeous. What I don't like in the picture:The composition is a little plain — too linear. The only thing going for it is the sheen I originally saw. What I learned:I think I succeeded when it comes to the processing of this image. The photograph looks like I wanted it to look. Unfortunately, in total it's just sort of meh. Who cares? A shiny tree. So what? 2nd Chances: What I might try nextI'm going to consider this an exercise in post-processing, but I can't see a future for it, to be honest. |
