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:Nostalgic fishing boat What I don't like in the picture:By trying to include the cables that run up to the mast, there is too much emphasis on the sky and too little of the boat. What I learned:In retrospect, it's amazing how many times a detail shot is better at telling a story than a shot that "gets it all in." 2nd Chances: What I might try nextI do like the green paint, but it might be worth it to convert this one to b/w. Also, do I need to do anything with that upper left corner? |
