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:Fun with my fisheye lens. What I don't like in the picture:Can you see that irregular shape at the top of the fisheye circle just left of center? What I learned:That's my baskball cap poking into view by this ultra-wide lens. I learned I needed to lean backward to avoid photographing myselft. So what the heck is in the top of the image at left? Something else poking into the field of view? Yup — my stubby little fingers griping the camera. After this, I started using a tripod and a timer release so I could step away from the camera entirely. I also learned I needed to pay particular attention to my own shadow and to be sure it wasn't leaking into the shot. A fun lens, but trickier to use than I first thought. 2nd Chances: What I might try nextCould I salvage these with content-aware fill? I doubt it. And even if it does work, are these two worth saving? I doubt is. |
