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:The rolling hills of The Palouse in Washington state are so dune-like and photogenic. What I don't like in the picture:I've been to The Palouse and photographed with sunny skies, but this day was pretty flat light. What I learned:Painting in a little light here and there creates a sense of living light. The area I like to keep and eye on is the blades of grass. If I have a sense that there are blades of grass, even if it is only a hint of texture. I just don't want the grass to be a green smudge. Most of the time, I tend to gravitate toward panorama aspect ratios with landscapes from The Palouse. 2nd Chances: What I might try nextipsom |
