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:A touch of reality. I'd rather make a real picture than a pretty one. On the other hand, do I have to show the blood and guts? What I don't like in the picture:Do you remember the story of my pride in the tones in a photograph — to which my friend replied, "You do know it's a picture of dead cat, don't you?" I was thinking of that comment when I found this pigeon. I think it was a pigeon. Not sure. What I learned:A bloody carcass is rarely going to be a photo that people are drawn to. That said, I think the feathers are lovely. I know there was a drama played out here and the bird lost, but the white feathers can tell the story without the more repulsive aspects of the event. |
