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
One Big Change Week
I often find that a bad looking image can be one big change away from success. It's as though that one big change is a key that opens the door. Once the door opens, smaller changes can still improve the image, but without the one big change the image is lost.
What I saw that I liked:
I love this dining table and the lace.
The One Big Change: HDR Contrast Reduction
After adjusting the exposure and contrast with the hope of adding light to the table but preserving detail in what we see through the window, I realized I was fighting an impossible battle.
What I learned:
Fortunately, I had bracketed the exposure so was able to run an HDR process to reduce the overall contrast. I never know when I'll need to do an HDR recovery and I rarely plan them. Instead, whenever I see a high contrast scene like this, I bracket just in case I might need it. Most times I don't, but when I do, HDR is a life saver.
2nd Chances: What I might try next
Sepia toning, for sure.
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