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:This outdoor market near Hangzhou, China was simply mesmerizing. What I don't like in the picture:Sometimes when I land someplace unanticipated (as was the case here), it takes me a while to decide what the subject is that interests me. I started photographing the people, but quickly realized that was not as visually interesting as their produce. What I learned:Once I realized the smoked meats were the point of interest, I concentrated my attention on that. The one at left is one of the early shots, but didn't make it into the final cut of my finished product. You can see the finished project, Gratitude, in this PDF. 2nd Chances: What I might try nextI wish I'd take a closer shot of the feet at the far left of this picture. Alas, no. |
