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
Context Week
My predisposition is always first to get closer and reveal the details. There is an intimacy to being close that I like. However, there are times when this habit to zoom in or step closer is a mistake because it removes the context that tells the story. This week will consist of context examples from the Albany Rural and Oakwood Cemeteries in Albany, New York where context is the most important part of the image.
What I saw that I liked:
Another fun bit of architecture.
What I don't like in the picture:
Why did I think it was okay to cut off the top of the obelisk? That just looks wrong,
What I learned:
A slightly different angle to visually separate the two structures and backing up enough to include the full obelisk does the trick. For this one, I do like the yellow/brown look of a platinum/palladium print. Does that fit the rest of the project? |
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