Brooks Jensen Arts - Every Picture Is a Compromise

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Every Picture is a Compromise
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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

Bonehead mistakes:

All the post-processing in the world won't fix a bonehead mistake. Shall we stoll down memory lane?

Forgetting I'd placed the camera in manual focus mode
Opening the back of the film camera before winding the film back into the canister
Watching your expensive view camera lens fall in slow motion into the surf
Driving off and not remembering the tripod which now resides on the edge of a magnificent overlook
I thought you packed the back of the 8x10 camera!
I'll only need one cable release
Hitachi Microdrives
It was expensive, it must be good.
It's not that windy. It can't possibly blow over the tripod.
I guess I was supposed to unlock the AE/AF Lock button for the next shot.
I hope the motel maid can find use for my Panasonic camera battery recharger
I'll update my eyeglasses prescription next year.
Got the shot! One exposure will be enough.
I know it's a holiday, but surely there will be one gas station open.