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:Again with the chaos of life. What I don't like in the picture:There is a fine line between organized chaos and a mess. The one above is a mess. Too much chaos, too much that competes for our attention. What I learned:I've carefully studied the work of Thomas Joshua Cooper in this chaos business. He is the master at it. The key seems to be to find an overall organization composed of the detailed chaos. The example at left appears to come closer to this ideal, so in my eye it is more successful. 2nd Chances: What I might try nextShould I trim a little off the right side? |
