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 very misty day on the Oregon coast. What I don't like in the picture:For reasons I now can't recall, I felt this scene should be a pastel with just a hint of color. I tried for quite a while to get just the right breaking wave over the rocks, never quite succeeding. What I learned:I was moving the camera to a new position when I accidentally tripped the shutter. (Panasonic G9 cameras have a notoriously sensitive shutter release.) I ignored the accident and went back to work. In reviewing my images in Lightroom, I found that accidental exposure. It's my favorite image of the day. I'm not opposed to keeping the purely lucky ones, even if they are totally accidental. |
