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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Deep Shadows Week

I know that "photography" is "light writing." Sometimes, however, it is not the light but the deep shadow that makes the image succeed. This week will be examples of deep shadows that bring the brightly lit objects to life.

What I saw that I liked:

Fun back lit reeds at the edge of a pond.

What I don't like in the picture:

The one above looks like a pond.

What I learned:

The processed version at left looks like a night sky full of stars. Cosmic, man. Again, an example of simply pushing down the darker tones to isolate the white dots and eliminate the reflections off the water.

2nd Chances: What I might try next

Just for fun, I think I'll take a look at this one as a b/w image, although I think the color as is seems just fine.