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
What I saw that I liked:Some photographers like flowers and blossoms. I prefer weeds and grasses. What I don't like in the picture:The one above looks great as long as it is a thumbnail, but the slightest enlargement shows it's not even close to being in focus. What I learned:The one at left is not great — a bland and centered composition. At least it's sharp. It may not seem like much of a challenge to successfully photograph a weed, but it's more difficult than it looks. Backgrounds, wind, depth of field, light — all this and more conspires to foil our efforts. You must use the Force, grasshopper, to succeed. 2nd Chances: What I might try nextDon't give up. |
