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:Sometimes, I just respond to the lines and shapes without having any idea why. What I don't like in the picture:The above RAW capture has nice lines, but not very interesting tones or light. What I learned:It's not what you take, it's what you make that counts. Where have I heard that before? Oh, yeah, I remember. Bad captures can sometimes lead to interesting images — once we process them. I just love this image a left. This is why I think you should always make the RAW capture in the field even if you can't imagine why. If it speaks to you in even the quietest whispers, make the exposure. Maybe later something will occur to you that leads to something fun. 2nd Chances: What I might try nextI need to print this image. I've never done so, but new that I look at it here, I'd love to see it on paper. |
