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:Chinese models in traditional costumes. What I don't like in the picture:Panorama image — more than others, I think — are a great way to tell a story in a single image. Too bad the subjects in the above example have no relationships to one another. No story. And headless. Yikes. What I learned:Same place, just off to the right. Now there is a story as the photographers and models work together. Too bad I cut off the photographer on the far right edge. That makes this one a loser, but it's still a fun personal memory. 2nd Chances: What I might try nextWould content aware fill make the other half of that photographer? I doubt it. Also, I should clone out those wind turbines on the distant hills. |
