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:One can never have enough picture of bird poop. What I don't like in the picture:I wish I could tell you that there is a good reason I cut off the top part of this window. I can't. Lazy, numb, or not paying attention are my best stabs at a defense. What I learned:If you screw up, sometimes you can salvage something by pretending that you didn't screw up enough. Push it further and see what happens. I might actually be able to use the version at left for something. Maybe. 2nd Chances: What I might try nextThis might even be better with a little light painting to make even more skewed angles. |
