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:Now that's funny! What I don't like in the picture:I had my tripod set up to photograph the floating leaves on the pond when this curious and social duck waddled up the bank and walked right up to me, turned his head as if to pose and waited until I shot the above image. Kind of looks like an image from a bird identification book. What I learned:Fortunately, I waited just a few seconds and he turned to face the camera straight on. For some reason, I find this one at the left to be funny. I wouldn't be surprised if he launched into a joke — "Two ducks walk into a bar . . ." 2nd Chances: What I might try nextThis would not be the first time I've Photoshopped in a thought bubble and made animals speak. |
