Brooks Jensen Arts - Every Picture Is a Compromise

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Every Picture is a Compromise
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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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A Spot of Light

We are advised that a good photo is "well lit." It can be, but there are alternatives to "well lit" like, for example, "spot lit." It's one of my favorite types of light as will be shown this week.

What I saw that I liked:

The spot light on the pines is very detailed.

What I don't like in the picture:

All spotlights are not the same intensity. This one was softened a bit by a lot of smoke in the air from nearby forest fires.

What I learned:

Increasing contrast is not the answer. Instead, I lightened the highlights and especially the whites in Lightroom. Then adjusted the blacks to get just a hint of the the other pine needles in the background.