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 can't put my finger on why I like night pictures so much, but I do. I wish I'd done more during the years. What I don't like in the picture:Of course, even with night photographs, subject matters. The one above of the garbage bin is of a garbage bin no matter what light it's photographed under. What I learned:Thinking more about this, I think my interest in these images is because of the Robert Adams' book, Summer Nights (published in 1985). [He has a newer one title, Summer Night, Walking that is also great.] Something about that book really hooked me. The nostalgia of it? The minimalism where the illuminated arises from the depth of the night? I don't know, but I want to do more. 2nd Chances: What I might try nextAdams did his work in b/w. The little I've done is all in color. Maybe I should try the b/w? I do love to odd color balance of streetlights. |
