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:The movement pattern is great. What I don't like in the picture:The exposure is not great. Remember that light meters (including the one in your digital camera) can't think. What I learned:Aim you camera at a white wall and you will end up with a gray wall — unless you override the automatic exposure. Cameras search for middle gray and neutral colors in white balance. That may not be what you want. Learn to override your auto settings to make a photograph, not just passively accept what the camera gives you. 2nd Chances: What I might try nextWater is surely one of my favorite things to photograph. Water has no color and leaves us to make whatever colors we want. Fun! |
