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.
Previous image | Next image |
Original digital capture
Choosing Between Variants
So often, the measure of an artist is the sum total of the decisions made along the way to the final production. In essence, choosing between the variants is the core of doing artwork. A or B, color or b/w, vertical or horizontal, X or Y. This week will be an exploration of these choices.
Thoughts on these two variants:
Light on the rock face or light on the ground in front of the peak? I like both of these shots although I wish the one above had a few clouds in the sky. I suppose I could us the Sky Replacement Tool in Photoshop if I really wanted clouds.
The variant at left would probably be my choice because of that tiny patch of light at the top and left of the peak. Also, the rocks at the bottom of the above don't contribute enough to be indispensable. Tough call, however, because I do like the light on the face of the rock in the above variant. These are often the kinds of decisions we artists sweat blood over as we decide.
|
|
