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:There a story here. Love it when a single image can tell a story. What I don't like in the picture:It needs to be a part of something bigger, I think. It's okay as it is, but there is so much that isn't said in this picture. What I learned:For example, this is in the camel village where these rough and tumble guys take care of the camel herds and race them up and down the hills for the tourists. Now here, is the problem — I know that because I was there, but you don't unless I tell you. The big question is — is this information necessary for you (the viewer) or is it superfluous to the image of the beer bottles? Separating ourselves from the experience of photographing is a challenge to be able to understand the experience of viewing the photograph. 2nd Chances: What I might try nextMaybe I should do a chapbook and include this image and see how I feel about it then. |
