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:Perhaps one of you can tell me what the hell I was seeing in this mess of a composition. I have no clue. What I don't like in the picture:I count about 20 subjects, none of which are related to any other. "We were somewhere around Barstow on the edge of the desert when the drugs began to take hold . . ." I only wish I had drugs to blame for this one, but it's all mine and mine alone. What I learned:And the one at left is proof positive that heavy processing is not the answer to salvage a bad image. 2nd Chances: What I might try nextIs it sufficient that I just delete this file, or should I melt down the hard drive, too, just so there is no chance of any evidence being left behind? |
