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:All those masts. I knew there was a composition there, but the image above from 2005 just wasn't it. What I don't like in the picture:I knew I wanted the masts against something plain that would help them stand out, but the sky just wasn't doing it in any way that excited me. The bland light wasn't helping either. What I learned:A full 12 years later in 2017, I revisited that same boat yard, hoping I'd figure out what I missed in 2005. Sitting on a bench just absorbing the scene, I eventually became aware of the jiggly lines in the reflections in the water. I guess I learned that sometimes it takes 12 years to make a picture. 2nd Chances: What I might try nextI wish I'd had the presence of mind to try a panorama. Maybe next time. |
