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:White aspens are so much fun to photograph! What I don't like in the picture:In the composition above, I remembered that old maxim about odd numbers in compositions. I tried to make the three trunks work as the driving force of the composition. It's okay, but not great. What I learned:The larger view with the chaos of white branches that you can see in the image at left is much more interesting to me. I think this has to do with the light and the whiteness of the trees. The composition is chaotic, but the trees seem to glow more — and I like that a lot. 2nd Chances: What I might try nextI haven't printed either of these, but I'm anxious to do so. |
