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:I have a common and strong fear of heights. (Does that come from my 24" inseam?) When my photo buddy, Joe Lipka, struck this pose as he photographed the Grand Canyon, my anxiety level shot through the roof. What I don't like in the picture:A human close to the edge of the cliff. What I learned:Since that was what I was feeling, why not try to capture that in a photograph? I thought about asking Joe to walk out and stand next to that tree (left), but thought better about it and just photographed the tree as an emotional substitute. I can't tell you how much discomfort I was feeling as I made composed this image. I'm willing to feel uncomfortable for a photograph, but there are limits to how much risk I'm willing to endure for art. |
