Brooks Jensen Arts - Every Picture Is a Compromise

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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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Both Orientations

It seems like any given scene would be best as either a portrait orientation or a landscape orientation image, but not both. Even so, having both can provide options in the finished project that might be important.

What I saw that I liked:

Near Zabriskie Point in Death Valley.

The Portrait Orientation Version:

Doesn't the version at left feel taller?

The Landscape Orientation Version:

Doesn't the one above feel like it is leaning to the right? These are both interesting shots, but to use the one above to illustrate height would be a mistake. Likewise, to use the one at left to illustrate depth would be awkward. Having both versions gives me options. This is a great example of why I cultivate the habit of composing both a portrait orientation and a landscape orientation as often as I can with any given scene.