Brooks Jensen Arts - 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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Divided Composition

Most photographs are composed with some central subject seen against a background or a foreground. A much more rare kind of composition is when two sections of the composition almost seem like they are from different exposures. These "divided compositions" are a great technique for drawing comparisons.

What I saw that I liked:

The fire line.

What I don't like in the picture:

If divided compositions are all about comparisons, then the contrast between the two defines the success of the image.

What I learned:

increasing the contrast of this image divides it into two halves, but it also brings out the power lines more visibly. That and the sliver of sky makes this a more believable landscape.

2nd chances:

Still trying to decide if I should crop out that blue sky at the top.