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:A small Japanese flower display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. What I don't like in the picture:The above is what I first saw. I snapped a photo. A bad photo. Nothing on the right side to give it balance. What I learned:I repositioned myself and made the one at left. Better, but still boring. It only became interesting when I desaturated everything except the blossoms and leaves. Maybe not an award winner, but a lot more interesting than the no-effort snap above. 2nd Chances: What I might try nextI wish I hadn't blown out the highlights in the white blossom. Wonder if I could pull those back a bit? |
