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
What I saw that I liked:Ferns, ferns, ferns. At least that's what I saw — and that thought dominated my close position and the composition above. What I don't like in the picture:It's just a picture of a thing, not of a relationship. What I learned:Sometimes moving in to isolate the subject is the exact wrong thing to do. It is my habit, but like all habits, there are exceptions that prove the rule. The version at left is far more pleasing to me because of the contrast of colors between the green leaves and the golden/magenta ferns. 2nd Chances: What I might try nextShould I clone our that yellow leaf in the lower center, or does it add another color (along with the reds in the lower left) to the composition? |
