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:An old hotel in eastern Oregon with period furniture and decorations. What I don't like in the picture:My first thought was to photograph the light in the crystal vase. I couldn't keep my eyes off the white dots on the wall behind. There was a sense of mystery about them that was captivating. What I learned:Once I had the crystal vase out of my system, I turned my attention to the light dots and the botanical. What is going on here? Where to those light dots come from? Ah, now we approach the mystery of art that can seduce people to look a little more closely and to question what they are seeing. I'll take the mystery at left over the factual one above any day. |
