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:Winter street market in China. What I learned:Eye contact is dominant. Without direct eye contact (above) we first look at what she is looking at — the ox heads for sale. In the one at left, the eye contact pulls our attention up to her. When we eventually scan down and see the ox heads, it's a surprise, almost a shock. So which is the better strategy for captivating a viewer's attention? Direct the viewer to the punchline, or have the punchline be a surprise? |
