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:There is a solitary mood in this single floating leaf from Acadia National Park that spoke to me. (Calling Dr. Freud, calling Dr. Freud.) What I don't like in the picture:Notice in the above that black cigar shape near the top. An easy decision to crop that out. What I learned:In an image like this, it is the blue background of the waves in the pond that make this image a success. Sure, the leaf is important, but it has to be floating on something that places it in context. I particularly like that the version at left also has a few rings around the leaf that direct our eye in that direction. 2nd Chances: What I might try nextI wonder if this would translate well into b/w? |
