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:Street — er — Beach Photography! What I don't like in the picture:There are lots of great and talented photographers who could do wonders with these types of scenes. Obviously, I'm not one of them. What I learned:Photographers like Jay Maisel, David Hurn, Weegee, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Josef Koudelka and so many others come to mind for whom this style of photography is not only in their wheelhouse, but they make it look easy. It is not. I'm embarrassed to show these examples, but that what this series is about — my failures and struggles. At least I know I'm crappy at this. 2nd Chances: What I might try nextIf I were smart, I'd sign up for a Jay Maisel workshop. |
