Avoiding 'Pretty Pictures That Say Nothing' - How Do Beginners Fall Into This Trap?

Hey everyone,

I'm prepping for a new indie feature, thinking of shooting on the ALEXA Mini LF with some older anamorphic glass to give it a unique texture, and I'm really trying to push the visual storytelling. I was re-reading an old guide and the line about 'pretty pictures that say nothing' really stuck with me. It’s something I strive to avoid, but I also know it’s a common pitfall, especially for DPs fresh out of school or early in their careers.

From your experience, what are the most common ways beginner DPs create visually striking shots that, despite their aesthetic appeal, actually fail to serve the narrative? I'm talking about things that look great on a monitor (even on something like a good calibrated SmallHD monitor), but don't add to the story. Beyond just 'it looks nice,' how can someone new to the craft learn to objectively diagnose this in their own work during prep or even on set while looking at dailies? I'm curious about specific examples or thought processes that help you identify when a shot, however technically beautiful, isn't earning its place.