P + S: In Defense of Bad Photos, Part 1

THE SETUP

Sometimes a bad photo is the best photo for your purpose.

 

THE PICTALE

Illustration #1:  My 100 year-old house is always ready for a new home-improvement project.  I can't keep my hands off of it!  So I take lots of pictures, and I'm making a storybook online to document the projects.   I took a picture of my mom with my latest fix--a tile backsplash, because she IS the biggest fan* of my DIY artistry!  She glowed in the picture, but there was a problem: I didn't use a flash, and it came out blurry.

A few days later, I asked her to pose with my backsplash again.  She did it, even though it was a silly request.  The resolution came out sharp, and I wish I could feature one, but they're not flattering and Mom would kill me!

I'm not going to ask her to stand with the tiles, yet again; that first picture was spontaneous; after that, the moment is contrived.  I like this photo for my DIY storybook, even if it's fuzzy, because this shot reminds me that she's proud of me.  XOXO, Mom.  

(You can see a few storybook pages in progress, here.)

*I must give credit where credit is due.  My husband is a big fan of my DIY handiwork, too.

 

LESSONS LEARNED

• Personal memories aren't always captured with professional-quality photography.  But those pictures are still our favorites, because they're genuine.
• Take a cue from the professionals: snap more than one picture of a posed shot.
• Use the flash or indoor scene setting when a room's lighting isn't bright. 
• Photography skills can be improved by reviewing a camera's manual, visiting the library, or enrolling in a class.

I'm not finished with this topic; my next post will defend another bad photo.

 

Can anyone else share an experience where a lousy picture was still the best choice to preserve a memory?  Click on "Comments" below the post to add your recollection.  I can't be the only one!

 

P + S is best! ~Donna

 

Comments

[Tracy]

That is a sweet photo of your Mom... And not all photos/memories have to preserved "perfectly" in the photos. My hubby & I love to tinker with photography. But we don't always get it right. A very favorite photo is one hubby took of me when we were on our honeymoon in London, taking one of those Thames River cruises... the shot of me is a bit blurred, but Big Ben & Parliament are clear! The moment was tender for it was our last day in London, so the blur probably hides my teary eyes--we had the best time! :o)

[Donna Raagas]

And that's really the whole point of saving pictures, isn't it? So we can revisit favorite moments. Thanks for sharing, Tracy. It sounds idyllic!

[rochambeau]

Beautiful Mom and great backsplash! We live in an old home too!

Constance

[Donna Raagas]

Thank you! Aren't old houses fun? Ours is quirky in a good way. After we moved in we started noticing different baseboards in each room, areas where walls were removed, etc. It's been an inside adventure!