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
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:
One of the big themes I've discussed a lot this year has been the difference between photographing a thing and photographing a moment. Which of these two exhibits more of the moment? Neither are "bad" photographs, but to my eye the version at left with the sunlight and clouds is more of a moment in time compared to the variation above.
That said, the variation above might be a better choice for the context of the larger scene. There are more elements in the above that indicate the size of Devils Tower. In this example then, both images have their place and could be the better choice depending on what you are wanting to emphasize. |
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