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:I've mentioned that I love to do PBPA —Photography By Pooping Around. I thought I might be able to make this picture of crystalline snow shadows into a cyanotype-looking image. What I don't like in the picture:Instead, I created a blueberry snow cone made with R13 Fiberglas insulation. Sometimes you're the bug. What I learned:It's said that even those who fall flat on their face are at least moving forward. In this case, I learned a great technique that I can use the next time I need a blueberry-snow-cone-made-with-R13-Fiberglas-insulation aesthetic. Good for me! 2nd Chances: What I might try nextPink? |
