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:Nice sense of light coming through the window. What I don't like in the picture:In fact, too much light coming through the window. What I learned:This is a perfect example of the HDR technique that can salvage an image like this that has too much dynamic range for the camera. Yes, it required two exposure to blend, but nothing in the scene is moving and the tripod holds the camera steady. 2nd Chances: What I might try nextI sure wish there was a large painting on the wall to fill that void. Could I paste one in? Is this a candidate for Generative Fill? Maybe like below, left. |
