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
Palouse Panorama Week
The region known as "The Palouse" in southeast Washington state has become a kind of mecca for photographers in recent years. A major wheat farming area, the Palouse offers all kinds of fascinating patterns and colors for photographers to explore. I always seem to gravitate to panorama format images, which will be the topic of images this week.
What I saw that I liked:
The Palouse is all about the light.
What I don't like in the picture:
Because this landscape is so dramatic, I often find the natural light to be a bit dull compared to what I see in my mind's eye.
What I learned:
I've been to The Palouse in every season, but the fall is my favorite by far. The golden colors and so gorgeous! Plus, in the fall there are storm clouds that come and go. A little patience will almost always result in dappled light that makes a great texture in a photograph.
2nd Chances: What I might try next
Some have suggested that I should crop out the farmhouse in the upper right corner. I think it adds an element of scale to the scene. |
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