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 just love these round doors and windows in Japan and China. What I don't like in the picture:The one above is my very first attempt during my very first trip to Japan. Too bad it's out of focus. What I learned:These photographs need both the distant view through the window/door as well as the near view to be sharp. The one at left was made 10 years after the first attempt above and is the result of learning by my first mistakes. 2nd Chances: What I might try nextI have enough of these I should try a Seeing in SIXES type project with them. |
