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:Who doesn't love vibrant fall leaves? What I don't like in the picture:The problem with such colorful leaves as are seen in the above is that they completely dominate the scene. What I learned:I wanted to show the leaves in the context of that rock wall. The color version above doesn't do that very well. The black and white version at left is way too busy. I finally gave up on the yellow leaves and just did the rock wall (left, below) and found an image I liked. Still working on the yellow leaves, but nothing yet I'd care to share. 2nd Chances: What I might try nextWhat if I toned the wall brown (like at left, below) and had the yellow leaves contrasted against that? |
