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.
Previous image | Next image |
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:
That perfectly positioned cloud. I had to work fast to capture this one!
What I don't like in the picture:
The blue of the sky if completely overwhelming the image. Since this image is not about the blue sky but really about the burnt trees, it was an easy decision to convert this one to b/w.
What I learned:
I wasn't done process this one, however. The underexposure to preserve details in the bright cloud meant that the trees on the bottom of the image are too dark. I raised the shadows and lightened the Blacks just a bit. Unexpectedly, that brought out the light on the two nearest hills a bit. Sweet! |
|
