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:Aspen, alder, all the white bark trees are so photographically seductive. What I don't like in the picture:The above is okay, but that's the problem. It's just okay. No mystery, no questions, overly factual. Not what I would consider "artwork." What I learned:Sometimes looking for the unusual point of view of a familiar and common subject can lead to a more interesting image. The one at left immediately brings questions to mind. Is that simply rain that has wet the bark? Why is it so yellow/tan colored? It almost looks like an eye crying tears. Is this a great photograph? Nope, but it is more interesting to me than the one above. 2nd Chances: What I might try nextIn the spirit of true confession, I tilted the image at left. In the RAW file, the tree is straight up and down. I wanted to give this image a bit more life, so a slight rotation. Do you agree? |
