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 just love these figurines at the corner of Japanese temples whose purpose it is to frighten away any evil spirits. What I don't like in the picture:The shot above is a loser because the figurine is in the shadow. Even worse is that bright patch of sunlit roof in the upper right corner. What I learned:I saw the one above first and captured it so I would remember to look for one in the sun. Then I realized the temple has fours sides and simply walked around the building until I found one of them in the sun. I didn't have to wait for the right light, I just needed to think and walk a short distance. 2nd Chances: What I might try nextI have a lot of these guys. Maybe a Seeing in SIXES project? |
