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:What's not to love in a landscape of that magical zone where the sea meets the land? What I don't like in the picture:Except when it includes an intrusion in the lower left corner, a tilted horizon line, an distant jut of land that is out of focus and odd colors. Other than that, the above is perfect! What I learned:Listen to you inner voice. This scene was not about the land, but rather all about the crashing waves. Fortunately, I found the one at left in my Lightroom catalog from another day and another location that captures that rolling power of the water. Note this is a split toned image — neutral dark tones and slightly blue highlights. |
