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
This week I'm looking back at my photographs from the Dakota Creek Shipyard in Anacortes. What I saw that I liked:A guy laying on his side, getting ready to do some welding at night. What I don't like in the picture:Where are the sparks? What I learned:I learned the value of burst mode with my camera as I tried to photograph this guy. I tried to catch the explosion of sparks, but I kept missing. Burst mode to the rescue! Took 285 shots to get the one I wanted. Right tool for the right job — just like the shipbuilders. 2nd Chances: What I might try nextNot every photograph works equally well in color or b/w, but this is one that does. |
