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 need help from you guys with an issue I'm having that I can't diagnose. What I don't like in the picture:The above image is an extreme crop of distant aspens. Click the image above to see the distortion I'm getting in the non-existent details. The yellows just become a smudge. Why? Not enough sensor resolution? Something about the RGGB Bayer that doesn't deal well with yellow? Atmospheric haze? I know my lens is sharp as a tack, but perhaps it's just not capable of resolving details like this at 800+ yards distance? What I learned:Seriously, I need help figuring this one out. |
