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:I much prefer the fallen fall leaves to those still on the tree. I know, I'm the odd duck here, too. What I don't like in the picture:There is not much difference between these two, but it is an important difference. What I learned:The one above was photographed in the morning when the leaves were dry. The one at left was photographed at the same place, but later in the day after it had rained. Look carefully at the color intensity of the leaves. Rain is our friend — especially is you are photographing in color. 2nd Chances: What I might try nextBTW, neither of these has had any extra color saturation or vibrance added. |
