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:Diagonal lines in the landscape near Zabriski Point in Death Valley. What I don't like in the picture:Diagonal lines in one direction only — as we see in the above — creates a single line of movement. Our eye sweeps right out of the image. What I learned:A more interesting composition is at left where the competing diagonals set up a rhythm and movement that is more dance-like. I once heard this referred to as "Pachinko Ball Composition." And apt description, I think. 2nd Chances: What I might try nextMight have over-sharpened this one. It looks a little crunchy to me here. |
