There is the selection we make when we look through the view-finder at the subject; and there is the one we make after the films have been developed and printed.
After developing and printing, you must go about separating the pictures which, though they are all right, aren’t the strongest.
When it’s too late, then you know with a terrible clarity exactly where you failed; and at this point you often recall the telltale feeling you had while you were actually making the pictures.
Was it a feeling of hesitation due to uncertainty?
Was it because of some physical gulf between yourself and the unfolding event?
Was it simply that you did not take into account a certain detail in relation to the whole setup?
Or was it (and this is more frequent) that your glance became vague, your eyes wandered off?
The Picture Story in The Minds Eye by Henri Cartier-Bresson.
What struck about this passage was not the regret that is felt at losing an opportunity to have a great photo, but what we have learnt from why the photo is not as strong as we would like. I have felt this in not only in my photography, but also in my paddling. If you know you have made a mistake and know why, then you have learnt a valuable lesson and you will become better at your chosen activity.
The complete text from the book The Decisive Moment (which the above extract originally came from) can be found here: http://www.sweeneyblog.com/2010-08/on-henri-cartier-bresson/
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