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:I love storm clouds, but I especially like using them as a counter to the landforms or trees. What I don't like in the picture:In the above, the trees are too dark, the clouds too dark and blue. What I learned:A couple of quick adjustments and this one is done. Processing doesn't need to be complex or difficult. Just because the required processing is easy doesn't mean that it isn't crucial. The above without processing is not anything I would be satisfied with as a finished print. The version at left was probably 30-seconds worth of processing but makes all the difference in the world. |
