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:Here is a grain silo and a lot of blue sky. What I don't like in the picture:Here is a grain silo and a lot of blue sky. What I learned:Here is a grain silo and a lot of blue sky turned into b/w so now it's ART. Or, perhaps not. 2nd Chances: What I might try nextSometimes I simply cannot figure out what prompted me to capture an image. This is an example of that. I suppose if you've lived your entire life in NYC, this might be novel enough to be of interest. It can be yours for the bargain price of $2,500. No takers? How about five-bucks? Not surprising there are still no takers. |
