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:These red lanterns in China are everywhere. Seemed like a fun thing to photograph. What I don't like in the picture:Subject lost in a sea of green details. What was I thinking? What I learned:When the primary subject covers 5% of the area of your composition, it's time to rethink what you are doing. I tried to desaturate the green to neutral gray and made something even worse. Processing is supposed to make things better. 2nd Chances: What I might try nextSometimes the only use for an image is as learning curve. This image is downright embarrassing. |
