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:Who doesn't love fall maple leaves? What I don't like in the picture:The image above is nice. Even lovely. It is not in the least surprising. The best thing about it is the circle we can project onto the dancing yellow leaves. What I learned:I kept looking. I eventually found the two at left and loved the way the stems don't touch but do in the shadow. That's a surprise and brings emotion into the composition. 2nd Chances: What I might try nextShould I get rid of that lower right corner black line? |
