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:Please remember that this series is about my failures. And, boy, does this one qualify. What I don't like in the picture:Other than the branches, the leaves, the spire, and the sky, I like just about everything else in this image. What I learned:This was my last day of photography from a five week trip to China and Japan. I was tired, desparate to get a few more temples done, hungry, and my back hurt. Not a good recipe for creative flow. And it shows. I should have worked on about 20% of what I attempted this day and maybe I would have achieved something. As it was, I don't think I have a single image from this day that accomplishes anything I'll ever use. Sometimes I just press too hard rather than letting it come to me at it's pace. 2nd Chances: What I might try nextNap. Rest. Be happy. Who knows, I might get back to Japan again someday. |
