Strategic Imperfections
Perfect Imperfections
Welcome to This Week's Edition of The Carty Method Magazine!
This week, we challenged our photographers to embrace strategic imperfection within their niche.
As creatives, we often get caught up in perfectionism—waiting for the perfect light, over-editing our retouching, or obsessing over every tiny detail.
We've all been there.
But sometimes, imperfection adds more depth, emotion, and relatability to an image.
Strategic imperfection isn’t about carelessness—it’s about balance.
It makes photos feel more real, more human, and ultimately, more impactful.
Now, get ready to be inspired by this week's Photo of the Week winners, who embraced imperfection in the most creative ways.
Let’s dive in!
Assignment Brief
CARTY gives a tight brief at the end of his photo review shows which tells us shooters what we have to shoot exactly for the following weeks review.
Here is this assignment exactly how he shares it.
“This weeks Assignment: Create an image that highlights how perfection is an illusion.
Strive for authenticity, oddity, humor or imperfection in a strategic way for consumers to take notice.”
People Photographers
Highlight a person making an obvious error while performing a task.
Document someone who would be expected to look perfect in a humorous and authentic way.
Places Photographers
Capture an immaculate space with one element slightly out of alignment.
Show a perfect symmetrical architecture shot with one intentionally misaligned element.
Things Photographers
Create a lineup of identical objects with one intentionally flawed item.
Showcase a perfect setup disrupted by one chaotic element.
- Self-portraits will not be accepted for this assignment.
- Double-page spreads or vertical layouts are accepted for this assignment.
William Sedgwick
Did you start with a clear vision, or did the idea evolve as you worked through the assignment?
Yes, I began the assessment with a distinct perspective.
I knew it would be sports related. I just did know exactly which sport I was going to chose to indicate Perfect Imperfection.
Carty always says " don't take the picture, Make the picture".
So I sketched out three different Ideas note pad.
Thought about what I wanted the viewer the feel when they look at the picture.
Did you experiment with multiple versions of imperfection before settling on the final image? If so, what were some of the alternate ideas you considered?
Most definitely!
I watch The Carty Method daily and I have learned to shoot through the picture.
The first attempts, I posed the model framing a jump shot using perfect form, with a football instead of a basketball.
I didn't work because I couldn't get the goal in the foreground the way I wanted it.
I then had the model kicking a basketball in a soccer goal.
I really like that, but I sill wanted to try the last idea. I was going to place a tennis ball on a tee and have him line up with the tennis racket.
It just didn't look right. I tried several different variations with the tennis racket.
When we were about to leave I thought of the MLB logo.
I shot a couple and ended the shoot at 6:20 pm because of the mosque's attacks.
What’s one key lesson you’re taking away from this assignment that will influence your future photography?
Several key lessons were revealed through this experimental learning process.
Making the deadline no matter what.
Performing difficult task with the equipment and time you have available regardless any setbacks.
Stop trying to be perfect, its stifles your creativity.
Shoot through the picture.
I would have stopped at the first decent shot I took before I began following The Carty Method.
Do you think intentional imperfection can make an image more memorable or impactful? Why or why not?
Yes! to me it makes people stop and view your work, bringing traffic to whatever you are selling.
I could use this concept with the local business in my town for commercial photography.
Another tool in the tool box.
Social Media Handles:
Instagram: will_vision1
Website: wvphotos.com
Steve Bourdeau
Did you start with a clear vision, or did the idea evolve as you worked through the assignment?
My vision was anything but clear for week’s assignment.
I had to stop thinking so much and let the image come to me.
Did you experiment with multiple versions of imperfection before settling on the final image? If so, what were some of the alternate ideas you considered?
I had a bunch of ideas in my mind, but I was having a hard time laying out a plan to execute them and finding a subject to shoot.
One idea was to have a mom figure trying to look happy and well put together, but have a small child in the background distorting the house while playing.
What’s one key lesson you’re taking away from this assignment that will influence your future photography?
To get out of my head a bit and be more in-tuned to what is happening around me and not think so linear and literal as it tends to limit creativity.
I also learned that I need to ask for help every once in a while to make things easier/possible.
The help I could have used here is having someone take reach piles of leaves to emphasize the imperfection of my son disrupting the process.
Do you think intentional imperfection can make an image more memorable or impactful? Why or why not?
I think intentional imperfection can have a huge impact on the viewer because it makes the image relatable and make the viewer think less critically about their own imperfections.
Social Media Handles:
Instagram: steven_bourdeau
Website: Stevenbourdeau.com
Ana Kaya
Did you start with a clear vision, or did the idea evolve as you worked through the assignment?
I had a few initial ideas before the session, but I realized they could have been developed further.
Did you experiment with multiple versions of imperfection before settling on the final image? If so, what were some of the alternate ideas you considered?
Yes, I explored different ways to incorporate imperfection.
Some of my alternate ideas included capturing someone reading a book upside down and having my model pose with a badminton racket and a tennis ball, creating a sense of mismatch or playful confusion.
What’s one key lesson you’re taking away from this assignment that will influence your future photography?
I’ve learned the importance of dedicating more time to developing my initial ideas and experimenting with different variations.
Taking more photos with adjustments can lead to stronger, more compelling images.
Do you think intentional imperfection can make an image more memorable or impactful? Why or why not?
Definitely!
Intentional imperfection can add depth and intrigue to an image, offering a unique perspective that draws the viewer in.
It can create a sense of spontaneity or challenge conventional expectations, making the image more thought-provoking and engaging.
Even subtle imperfections can serve as powerful storytelling elements, enhancing the overall impact.
Social Media Handles:
Instagram: akphotography.2020
Charles Fortin
Did you start with a clear vision, or did the idea evolve as you worked through the assignment?
When thinking about the assignment, I knew I wanted to play with the windy weather here in Nicaragua to create "imperfections".
I also know I wanted to photo to put forward the surf culture that's very present in this beautiful country.
With this in mind, I ahead to the beach at sunrise with an open mind and let the magic happen.
Did you experiment with multiple versions of imperfection before settling on the final image? If so, what were some of the alternate ideas you considered?
All the images were captured within the same photo session.
Working with natural light provides some challenges: some clouds were blocking the golden morning light either on the subject or on the background.
During the photoshoot, we tried different compositions, which provided me valuable option for the final decision.
What’s one key lesson you’re taking away from this assignment that will influence your future photography?
When working in a natural environment, there's only so much you can control.
Keeping an open-mind towards introducing strategic imperfections is game changing in creating authentic work.
Do you think intentional imperfection can make an image more memorable or impactful? Why or why not?
Absolutely.
It makes the image stand out from the norm. Obviously, it's context dependent.
But used at the appropriate time, it can be very powerful.
Social Media Handles:
Instagram: theroamingbull
Website: charlesfortin.myportfolio.com
Doyle Daniels
Did you start with a clear vision, or did the idea evolve as you worked through the assignment?
I've had a clear vision for this shoot for a while now.
There's a phone booth in the shared office space I rent, and it's been sitting there, waiting for the right concept and subject.
I've been envisioning how to bring it to life, and this project finally brought all those pieces together.
Did you experiment with multiple versions of imperfection before settling on the final image? If so, what were some of the alternate ideas you considered?
Yeah, we did. We experimented with different poses and concepts in the space.
You can't see it in the photo, but the old phone booth also has a Nintendo simulator in it, so we played around with that for a while.
In the end, I had a clear vision for the lighting and mood I wanted, which helped us refine the final shot.
What’s one key lesson you’re taking away from this assignment that will influence your future photography?
Keep grinding.
I’m not sure if it directly relates to the assignment, but executing it this time had me struggling to find the perfect model for the concept.
I reached out to about 40 people before finally landing someone for the shoot.
In the end though persistence finally landed me the right subject, that feeling of success after so much rejection will stick with me for sure.
Do you think intentional imperfection can make an image more memorable or impactful? Why or why not?
Absolutely.
The contrast between subject matter and surroundings—or between two objects that differ in function or form—instantly creates a story within a photo.
It’s not something that needs to be in every shot, but when it is, it adds a layer of intrigue.
Social Media Handles:
Instagram: dcd3photo
Website: dcd.photos.com
Substack: dcd3photo
Erick Hernandez
Did you start with a clear vision, or did the idea evolve as you worked through the assignment?
This idea evolved over time, it wasn't even what I was going to originally shoot but I got inspiration after walking past a mannequin with a chrome head and skin colored limbs and wanting to capture that with an actual person.
Did you experiment with multiple versions of imperfection before settling on the final image? If so, what were some of the alternate ideas you considered?
Not really, rom the start I knew I wanted to exclude the face from the shot but what I did brainstorm with the model was her outfit and her pose.
What’s one key lesson you’re taking away from this assignment that will influence your future photography?
Always be aware of the background and whether or not it's taking away from your photo.
Do you think intentional imperfection can make an image more memorable or impactful? Why or why not?
Always be aware of the background and whether or not it's taking away from your photo.
Social Media Handles:
Instagram: lostlight.lv
Website: lostlightlv.com
Best In Show
Robert Myrick
Did you start with a clear vision, or did the idea evolve as you worked through the assignment?
A little of both. I had a client shoot with several pageant queens the day prior and as I worked thru that shoot, the vision hit me and I worked with my clients to schedule for my assignment shoot.
Did you experiment with multiple versions of imperfection before settling on the final image? If so, what were some of the alternate ideas you considered?
The idea was generally the same but I added one element at a time.
Slowly it all fell into place.
What’s one key lesson you’re taking away from this assignment that will influence your future photography?
In the beginning of the shoot, I was getting frustrated simply because I could not get the emotional reactions that I envisioned.
Over time, I realized that I had to find a way naturally influence the model into a sincere expression.
Do you think intentional imperfection can make an image more memorable or impactful? Why or why not?
This image is proof of it. Out of the dozen or so images that resulted from this shoot, this one grabbed my attention and pulled me in.
The juxtaposition of a young, beautiful pageant queen feeling overwhelmed is true example of our own humanity.
Social Media Handles:
Instagram: rj_myrick
Website: rj_myrick.com
Danyel Van Kleef
Did you start with a clear vision, or did the idea evolve as you worked through the assignment?
I was lying in bed the evening before, and I remembered the experiments I had done in the past using glass for distorted effects, and then it clicked I also did have an idea for the light, so then it was just a matter of getting the right combination to fit it to my liking.
Did you experiment with multiple versions of imperfection before settling on the final image? If so, what were some of the alternate ideas you considered?
We tried different clothes and various glasses before finding the right combination.
What’s one key lesson you’re taking away from this assignment that will influence your future photography?
Well, this assignment is really good for finding a subtle yet intelligent way to be creative with an element that sticks out and I like how this provokes your view to create this Its smart to do these works, good for keeping the creativity alive.
Do you think intentional imperfection can make an image more memorable or impactful? Why or why not?
I think so because you are forced to have just one element sticking out, and if you manage to do that smartly, it's more noticeable and gives a stronger character to the image.
Social Media Handles:
Instagram: danyelvankleef
Website: danyelvankleef.com
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Carty is a Pro Photographer, Director, and Educator based in Toronto, CA.
His goal is to educate and connect a global network of visual creators.
👉🏾 Mindset Shifts and Immersive Pro Education on YouTube 👈🏾
Learn more about him and see his work at 👉🏾 SteveCarty.com
Join his photographer’s community 👉🏾 TheCartyMethod.com/community
Work with Him 👉🏾 theCartyMethod.com
The Carty Method Instagram @TheCartyMethod