francis_dantuono Posted July 8, 2017 Share Posted July 8, 2017 (edited) As best as you can tell, does it appear as if this photo was staged? Is there any way it could've been taken candidly? I ask because the story goes an amateur photographer happened to snap this photo for his photo class and asked my mother if she wanted to buy it, and she said sure. But it feels somehow too professional appearing to be have been shot in the moment. I don't know anything about the photographer or what equipment was used - this happened in 1973 - memories are fuzzy. Anyone want to lend their opinion both on whether it was staged or not, and what techniques might have been used to create it? The photo is 11 x 14. Photo removed. Per the photo.net Terms of Use, do not post photos you did not take. Edited July 8, 2017 by Spearhead Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supriyo Posted July 8, 2017 Share Posted July 8, 2017 If by staged you mean, the photographer was ready with the camera and he/she asked the man to lift up the baby so he can frame the shot, yes it probably happened that way. The houses on the left are perfectly vertical. But the question is, does it matter? Did the photographer claim, it was shot on the spur of the moment, and your mom's decision to buy it was based on that? If that's the case, it's up to you guys. As for what techniques were used, I don't see anything special in this picture to imagine any special skills were involved. It looks like a familiar and ordinary shot to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn McCreery Posted July 8, 2017 Share Posted July 8, 2017 It could have been unstaged. The verticals can be adjusted in postprocessing (and the horizontals should have been- the street looks to be leaning to the left). If I were to stage it, I would have asked the man to hold the boy so that we can see boy's face. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Keefer Posted July 8, 2017 Share Posted July 8, 2017 It is impossible to know, someone with a camera in hand and a quick mind to see a shot and instantaneous reaction time, maybe. The photographer could know this gentleman's demeanor and actions well and knows he does this everytime he sees this baby. But then again how often have we seen a quick act that is photo gold, but it passes so quickly we miss the moment. Of course, we could ask, can you do that again, that would make a lovely photo. Set up by the photographer or the man in the photo. This gentleman may know how to work the camera or work in front of a camera. I have run across people who just are great subjects and make photo moments. I don't think it matters for family photos and Hollywood movies. A good photo is a good photo. Cheers, Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toniking Posted July 8, 2017 Share Posted July 8, 2017 Looks like a typical street photograph, taken on the fly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandy Vongries Posted July 8, 2017 Share Posted July 8, 2017 Unposed, taken by someone someone reasonably skillful and quick (or lucky) with a decent camera would be my guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vincent Peri Posted July 8, 2017 Share Posted July 8, 2017 I really like this photo. It would never occur to me to question whether the photo was staged or not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sanford Posted July 8, 2017 Share Posted July 8, 2017 Photo removed! Can someone please give me a roundabout way of viewing it. I would really like to know what you all are talking about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidTriplett Posted July 8, 2017 Share Posted July 8, 2017 Post it someplace else and include a link in your narrative here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles_Webster Posted July 8, 2017 Share Posted July 8, 2017 "taken in 1973..." falls in the realm of "who cares?" That was almost 50 years ago, why would it matter to anyone if it was staged? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allen Herbert Posted July 8, 2017 Share Posted July 8, 2017 I prefer candid photographs which to my mind project a keener insight when the subject is not aware....they are not on guard or posing for the camera. But just my view there are many posed photos which are also revealing and have a honesty to them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
francis_dantuono Posted July 8, 2017 Author Share Posted July 8, 2017 I really like this photo. It would never occur to me to question whether the photo was staged or not. I only asked out of curiosity. The photo was the only photograph of my grandfather with any of his grandchildren (he died two years later) and I guess having an inkling as to how it went down would in a way be like being there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Keefer Posted July 8, 2017 Share Posted July 8, 2017 (edited) [quote=" Photo removed. Per the photo.net Terms of Use, do not post photos you did not take. Francis, it looks like the moderators removed the photo per rules. The workaround that is acceptable is to put the link to the photo in your posting. That way all we have to do is click the link to see the photo and PN does not have to deal with an angry photographer that has his photo being displayed on this site without permission. For those arriving late, the photo was a black and white image of an older gentleman raising a one or two year old high above him. It was a good shot and perhaps Francis will post a link to the photo so others can participate in the discussion. Edited July 8, 2017 by Mark Keefer Cheers, Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norma Desmond Posted July 8, 2017 Share Posted July 8, 2017 I had seen it but didn't have time to comment earlier. It didn't seem staged, though it wouldn't have made a difference to me, in this case, if it had been. The reasons it didn't seem staged is that most people photographing a baby would not want the arm I can't remember if it was the dad's or the baby's, to block most of the baby's face so I wouldn't think they would stage it that way. Of course, some might! Also, the man and baby were perfectly centered in the frame, which I sense was just part of the instinct of the photographer rather than a conscious decision. Also the man's stomach and chest filled a lot of the frame which, again, were it being staged might have been avoided in favor of a perspective that didn't emphasize the man's body so much. It struck me as a shot that any dad or uncle would have been happy to take and most parents and relatives would find appealing. There was something very spontaneous-feeling about it which, of course, can be accomplished both in staged and candid photography. We didn't need dialogue. We had faces! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sanford Posted July 8, 2017 Share Posted July 8, 2017 I'm goin nuts here, can't you find some way to skirt p/n laws and give me a hint on where to find this photo? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
francis_dantuono Posted July 8, 2017 Author Share Posted July 8, 2017 [quote=" Photo removed. Per the photo.net Terms of Use, do not post photos you did not take. Francis, it looks like the moderators removed the photo per rules. The workaround that is acceptable is to put the link to the photo in your posting. That way all we have to do is click the link to see the photo and PN does not have to deal with an angry photographer that has his photo being displayed on this site without permission. For those arriving late, the photo was a black and white image of an older gentleman raising a one or two year old high above him. It was a good shot and perhaps Francis will post a link to the photo so others can participate in the discussion. Imgur: The most awesome images on the Internet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
francis_dantuono Posted July 8, 2017 Author Share Posted July 8, 2017 I'm goin nuts here, can't you find some way to skirt p/n laws and give me a hint on where to find this photo? Imgur: The most awesome images on the Internet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sanford Posted July 8, 2017 Share Posted July 8, 2017 Thanks, but a bit of a letdown after all that...not staged. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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