Brooks Jensen Arts - Every Picture Is a Compromise

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Every Picture is a Compromise
A Series About Keepers, Also-rans, and Learning from Mistakes

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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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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:

What a spectacular viewpoint!

What I don't like in the picture:

The version above under a large cloud shadow is pretty lame. The rocks are colorful and the textures are great, but without any sunlight it is flat and uninteresting.

What I learned:

On those lucky days when there are big cumulus clouds they are almost always on the move. Just be patient. Eventually the sun will poke through and with a little luck shine right on the area of the scene you want it to. These are the moments we bow to the photo gods in gratitude for their sunlit blessings. At least I do.