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:Lovely storm clouds above Sunset Crater in Arizona. What I don't like in the picture:The one above was the first composition. It tries to do too much by "taking it all in." I'd rather say a small thing well than a big thing poorly. What I learned:By concentrating on the little tree on this horizon of the crater, I ended up with a much stronger image that has emotional relationship between the tree and the cloud. FYI, these two were taken about 4-minutes apart while I waited for that edge of the cloud to move into position. I love the way the tree seems to cower and lean away from the menacing clouds. 2nd Chances: What I might try nextThe version at left is a b/w converted image that I've also split-toned in Lightroom using the Color Grading controls. The light tones (sky) are tinted blue while the darker tones (hillside and tree) are tinted brown. Blue storm clouds always feel wrong to me. Blue skies are sunny skies whereas storm clouds are more neutral gray. |
