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:Mood. What I don't like in the picture:I wanted the above to be dark, but that's too dark. What I learned:Sometimes a picture is not of some thing, but rather about some mood. The key to this image is to have it show enough detail in the deep shadows to identify the objects (tree, valley, hills) but for all of them to be overpowered by the storm clouds. The highlights i the distant clouds provide a visual and emotional escape from the storm. 2nd Chances: What I might try nextThis one will be tricky to print. It might require several attempts before it's just right on paper. |
