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
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:
This is very similar to one of my favorite Wynn Bullock abstracts. In fact, so close that I would call mine a derivative of his image.
What I don't like in the picture:
My color original above is so pastel as to make the color irrelevant, at least in my estimation. Converting to b/w seems the right answer for how I see this subject.
What I learned:
Sometimes, there is hardly any processing involved to get what we want. Luck is real. In this image, the simple conversion to b/w and I was done.
2nd Chances: What I might try next
Should I show this one, or is it so close to the Bullock image that I tuck mine away and never show it? |
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