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 is a terrible thing to admit, but sometimes I think I'm just going through the motions. I was at Bandon, Oregon, famous in photographic circles for its spectacularly rocky shoreline. What I don't like in the picture:I was just not in the mood that day. Sorta bored, but supposed to be excited. Better make some photos. Such disinterest pushed to action and you get lifeless images like this — and terrible merges like the top of the spire with the larger rock in the background. Geez. What I learned:We can do a lot to make a more interesting photo by the extraordinary technical tools available to us. The tool I sometimes desparately need is the "Ennui Eliminator." Such is life. Creativity on demand is not always possible. 2nd Chances: What I might try nextNext time I'm feeling this uninspired, I must remember that a short nap in the car can sometimes be just the thing that is needed. |
