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.
Previous image | Next image |
Original digital capture
What I saw that I liked:I like both of these for different reasons. What I don't like in the picture:This is a case of needing to choose what I want to emphasize. What I learned:Is this about color? If so, then the one above is the better image because of the strong blue in the upper left quadrant. Is this about line and form? Clearly then, the image at left is better. What if I wanted both color and line? Could I work on either or both of these to process them for color and line? Or would I be better off starting with a different capture? These are the kinds of questions that I find myself involved in with every image. Decisions, decisions, decisions. |
