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:A press event in China with models showcasing some beautiful celebration garments. What I don't like in the picture:Most of the other photographers stayed a safe distance from the models and (I assume) photographed them with fairly long lenses. Not me. What I learned:It wasn't their beauty that intrigued me, nor was it the fancy costumes. I was take by the women's grace and poise. I wanted to show that grace and decided that the best way I could think of was to concentrate on their hands and gestures. I ended up with 10 images that I liked and these made a project in Kokoro, Vol. 5, No. 5 |
