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:I come back to this theme of a cluster of trees against the sky quite a bit. What I don't like in the picture:In the above, the clouds in the background are a distraction. What I learned:On the other hand, a blank sky with no clouds would be too bland. The one at left has just enough clouds to give the sky some life without distracting my eye away from the gesture of the trees. 2nd Chances: What I might try nextBrighten it just a bit? |
