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
Mud and Muck WeekWhat I saw that I liked:Yet another "muck-o-graph". I just love these abstracts in the tidal waters. What I don't like in the picture:The above is all pattern, but no color. Nice pattern, but I couldn't help but yearn for a bit of color. What I learned:But, wait! In the lower right corner there is a hint of blue in the water as it reflects the sky. In the version at left, I rotated the image 180° to "reverse" the tones, then pushed that blue to maximum saturation. To my eye, this adds just a pinch of spice to the otherwise black and white of the mud. It reminds me of the days when we would hand color our b/w images with Marshall Oils. 2nd Chances: What I might try nextWould I cross a believability line if I converted that blue to green or some other color? |
