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:Solitary in the snow. A melancholy subject. What I don't like in the picture:The above tree is emotionless. We might project the chill, but the tree itself seem oblivious to the snow. What I learned:The image at left, however, seems resigned, beaten, forlorn, sad, melancholy. Reminds me of Kertész' tulip. As an expressive photograph of a plant in the snow, there is no question that our feelings about the one at left is more filled with pathos as it bows its head in defeat. 2nd Chances: What I might try nextMight need to lighten the snow just a bit? |
