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.
|
Original digital capture
What I saw that I liked:A fun opportunity to photograph in a turn of the century (1900) museum. What I don't like in the picture:The above was from day #1. I realized that the shallow depth of field was not helping. What I learned:The version at left is from day #2 and uses a 7-image focus stack to make a much more pleasing result. In fact, unless a shallow depth of field is preferred, I would recommend anything closer than about 5-feet should be focus stacked. 2nd Chances: What I might try nextA touch higher camera position would have made the letters on the keys more visible. Oh well, this is close enough. |
