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:I like seeing this small country church from this point of view. I like the pews receding in the background. What I don't like in the picture:After the original capture, I realized I wanted the book on the podium open, so I "staged" the improved picture. Unfortunately, I framed it differently — losing the back wall (which tells us the size of this building) and it has a shallower DOF because I focus a little closer. I also like the angled rails of the podium in the original digital capture better. What I learned:Pay more attention when recomposing, I guess. 2nd Chances: What I might try nextI think there might be some hope for this image with a little Photoshop work. Next, I'll try copying the podium and and the books from the picture on the left and pasting it into the original. Maybe I can have my cake and eat it, too! Because it is so planar and has hard, defined edges, I might be able to get away with it. |
