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
Reasons to Crop an Image #6
Rectify the Verticals
There are those who insist that cropping is a cheat for not composing accurately in the camera. I disagree. Never feel guilty about cropping if it makes the picture better. This week will offer examples.
What I saw that I liked:
For some reason, I'm always attracted to these old churches and school houses.
What I don't like in the picture:
There are two things about the above that are visually jarring to my eye. I don't like the distraction of the door on the far left. I don't like that the vertical lines of the building are not vertical.
What I learned:
The image (left) is actually a double crop. First I used Lightroom's Transform tool to rectify the verticals. Next I used the Crop tool to trim off the left edge to eliminate that bright and distraction door.
2nd Chances: What I might try next
Because we can, I considered a two-exposure HDR blend to make the outside through the windows become visible. On second thought, I like the almost ghost-like glow of the windows. |
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