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:Side light from a door. What I don't like in the picture:The side illumination in both of these works pretty well. I find that side light almost always has good potential if the subject inside the room is interesting. What I learned:In the one above, the light floods in from an open door and fills the room. Nice In the example at left, there is a narrow opening in the door behind me and on the left that creates this shaft of light. Also nice. 2nd Chances: What I might try nextThese two are from China. I need to see if I have more side lit examples from China that I might work into a small project. |
