Brooks Jensen Arts - Every Picture Is a Compromise

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Every Picture is a Compromise
A Series About Keepers, Also-rans, and Learning from Mistakes

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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

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When Processing Is the Key

Being out in the world with our camera is fun, but processing is what makes an image rise to the level of personal expression. This week will concentrate on processed images — some subtly, some radically.

What I saw that I liked:

The blue stone is a wonderful accompaniment to the warm-tone wet leaves.

What I don't like in the picture:

The original above was underexposed on purpose. I wanted to preserve the highlights in the top leaf and knew there would still be enough shadow detail in the lower leaves.

What I learned:

I needed to brighten the image, but I also pumped up the intensity of the blue stone a bit. The version at left is not an accurate representation of the scene, but it is a much better rendition of my response to the scene than is the original above.

2nd Chances: What I might try next

Pretty happy with this one as it is.