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.
|
Original digital capture
This week is a special celebration of extreme failures that prove it can't always be fixed in post. What I saw that I liked:A lovely day out hiking with my daughter. What I don't like in the picture:This is either a badly composed photo of clouds or a badly aimed snapshot of my daughter. Not sure which, but likely both. What I learned:Content-aware fill has limitations. 2nd Chances: What I might try nextPerhaps I should give some thought to the idea that "knowing what my subject is" could be useful. |
