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.
|
Original digital capture
What I saw that I liked:Wildlife. Another chance to test my inabilities. What I don't like in the picture:I think the lens I need to be a successful wildlife photographer would be roughly 5000mm. That's just about the size of the Hubble telescope. The one at left is a severe crop from the the original above — shot using my 400mm eq lens. What I learned:I have the greatest respect for photographers who specialize in a type of photography and excel at it. Wildlife and bird photography are examples of this. I've never met Art Wolfe and I can only hope that he never sees these amateurish examples. This doesn't, however, prevent me from having a little fun whenever I spot some creatures in the wild. Fun and excellence need not be coincident. 2nd Chances: What I might try nextVisit the zoo. |
