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.
Previous image | Next image |
Original digital capture
Waiting for the Light Week
We can't always wait for that gorgeous light that brings a touch of magic to a landscape, but when we can the reward is worth it.
What I saw that I liked:
Lovely structure, lovely light.
What I don't like in the picture:
I quickly made the above exposure to capture that gorgeous light before it faded.
What I learned:
Just a few seconds later, however, the light changed to cast a bit more shadow on the lower quarter of the scene and I snapped the one at left. Both of these are shots I wouldn't hesitate to use, but the version at left puts more emphasis on the large rock face, especially near the top. It might be subtle, but that difference is important and became an easy choice for which I prefer.
2nd Chances: What I might try next
Notice the difference in the sky and clouds. I've desaturated the version at left to strip our the blue. I do this on most of my cloudy images. |
|
