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:Loved those tree shadows on the steep hillside. What I don't like in the picture:Sometimes the processing decisions are made for us by the conditions we encounter. In this case, I knew when I clicked the shutter that I would need to "dehaze" the smoky air. What I learned:Yuck. Dehaze is a tool I don't use very often and clearly it's because I don't have command of its subtleties. Besides, now that I see the direction that heavy processing is taking this image, I'm not enthused. I stopped because I don't think this is going anywhere. Obviously, I'd need to remove the excessive gold cast to the upper edge of the hill, but instead I just gave up. I don't know if there is a way to fix this image and I suppose giving up on it means I never will. Does this make me a lazy photographer? Guilt is such an ugly thing. 2nd Chances: What I might try nextSome images are just not worth a second chance. Sorry, image. |
