Brooks Jensen Arts - Every Picture Is a Compromise

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Every Picture is a Compromise
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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

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The Miracles of Technology Week
Generative Fill

I've said for years that this is the best time in the history of photography to be a photographer. This week, I'll share five disastrous "failures" that were rescued by the miracles of software.

What I saw that I liked:

I love this streak of white on the basalt cliff.

What I don't like in the picture:

The patch of sky in the upper right has got to go.

What I learned:

Open the RAW file in Photoshop, select the sky, do a Generative fill and zappo! No more sky! Without Generative fill, this capture would be either a throw-away or need to be severely cropped — which would probably bite a bit out of the top of the white streak.

2nd Chances: What I might try next

Still waffling as to whether or not this should be b/w.