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
Something from Nothing WeekNot infrequently, I'll look at an image in my Lightroom catalog and think, "What possible image did I think I saw in this mess?" This week, we'll look at examples that demonstrate why we should push ourselves to see what might be there, how we might create something from nothing. Trust the "you" that clicked the shutter. You never know when something interesting might be lurking in those pixels that seem to be hopeless. What I saw that I liked:I can't tell if this leaf happened to fall in the circle of moisture on the rock or if the moisture comes from the leaf. Either way, it's cool. Just had to photograph it. What I don't like in the picture:My default camera settings are to underexpose by a third of a stop so as to never blow out the highlights. Sometimes (like in this image) that creates and underexposed mess like this one. What I learned:Modern digital process continues to amaze me in it flexible capabilities. About 10 minutes worth of fussing and I was able to pull the image at left from the dark in the above. Something from nothing. 2nd Chances: What I might try nextPretty pleased with this one. Next step is to live with it for awhile to see if any further changes are needed. |
