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:There are two issues with the version above that make me glad I kept working this area for a picture. What I don't like in the picture:First, the version above was shot at f/4 and that shallow depth of field makes both the rocks in front and the rocks at top out of focus. Second, the colors aren't strong enough to contribute to the image. What I learned:In the processed image at left, I chose to use the one I shot at f/11. Then, I converted it to b/w. I didn't like that, so I tried another approach. I manually desaturate the entire image with a mask and then erased the mask over the areas that would reveal the green leaves. I don't often use this mixture of monochrome and full color in the same image, but when it is needed, it creates a very interesting treat for our eye. 2nd Chances: What I might try nextAre these statues really old or just made of soft rocks? I'll probably never know, but they are so interesting. |
