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
Ventfort WeekVentfort is a Gilded Age mansion in upstate New York that is in the process of being restored. My inclinations were to do some pretty straight photography and just let the place tells its own story. That doesn't mean that it didn't require some intense processing to get the photographic images to look right. What I saw that I liked:This little coffee alcove is at the top of the stairs. What I don't like in the picture:I can't believe I was lazy enough to take the above image. Just before lunch and I was tired and hungry. What I learned:After lunch and a little rest, I started up again in the coffee alcove with the composition at left. Photographing while we are tired and hungry is simply not a good strategy. Maybe I should always carry a Cliff Bar or something for these moments. 2nd Chances: What I might try nextI'm not sure I have the color right in that coffee urn. It should lean more to the brass side of things rather than the gold colors. |
