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:Sometimes I bind myself in a conflict of my own making. In this image, I love the little pull-chain poking into the top of the image. I also love the safety pin on the left hook at the bottom of the window. (You'll probably need to view the larger image to see the safety pin.) What I don't like in the picture:This (awful) composition tries to get both of these details in the same shot. Nope, ain't gonna work. What I learned:Remember that scene in City Slickers where the old, experienced cowboy advises to just to one thing well? Ditto (at least most of the time) in photography. 2nd Chances: What I might try nextB/W? |
