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:I haven't spent much time photographing graffiti. I was surprised to see some in China. What I don't like in the picture:The above was the first graffiti I had seen in China, so I snapped off a picture even though it was too far away to get an isolation composition. Pretty much a throw-away capture. What I learned:Around the corner, however, I found the wall photographed at left. What a great example of graffiti and torn posters all in the same composition. I have no idea what to do with this image, but I'm glad I captured it when I did. 2nd Chances: What I might try nextI have no idea. |
