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:Photographing in an old cemetery with lots of lovely statues and monuments. What I don't like in the picture:The above was captured at little after 11am. Flat light, not much of interest in my boring composition. What I learned:An hour and a half later, after a little misty rainfall, I drove past the monument again and saw the image at left. The rain adds metaphorical tears. And why did I feel it was the right choice to crop off the name — Graves — and lose it's obvious symbolism? 2nd Chances: What I might try nextI sure wish this had a splash of sunlight. Could I do some creative dodging to orchestrate a sunbeam? |
