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:At a relative's house that is lovingly decorated with a Southwest theme. What I don't like in the picture:I was so concerned about getting the bilaterally symmetric line that I missed to total imbalance of the element. I also remember wanting the tip of that candle against the black background. I missed the trees and the forest. What I learned:The image at left is from the same house, but composed with a simple relationship of just two element. I like that they almost could be in conversation or gazing in mutual admiration. I guess the lesson here is that simple that works is better than complexity that doesn't. Fancy that. |
