Recently I was listening to an interview of a famous coach. The coach was asked if he learned more from his successes or more from his mistakes. This led to a discussion with the mother of the child I photographed below.
We wondered if we really learned more from our mistakes or successes? I think that most people continue to commit mistakes without realizing it. I probably do. I either lack talent or have blindspots. Occassionally, I notice a mistake...and sometimes I notice the mistake and learn. This is success.
So, how does this translate to photography? Occassionally, people ask me how I decide which photos to send to people and which to delete. In other words, they ask me about successes and mistakes. Editing my work is difficult. I realize that the choices I make will affect what photos a family can keep forever. It is also difficult, because I connect to the people I photograph.
As for the editing process...If I take 100 photos, about 33 are obviously not good. someone blinks at the wrong time or the background is distracting. Then there are another group, maybe 15% that I don't like. I am not always sure why. Personal taste. Then, there is this other group that just doesn't make it. Some are good, or could be if I spent time in Photoshop. And then there are others that might be good, but have something not right.
Here is a group of really good photos that just didn't make it into my final cut.
rejectsjan30 - Images by bryan farley
