single photos "A walk with my friend"

I took a string of photos as the child of a friend of mine took a

walk in her back yard. This was the most striking of the set. After I

took this, I had a feeling that I caught something special. I prayed

that the film saw the same thing I did through the viewfinder. Being

close to the image, I would like an unbiased view. I don't care for

the branch at the right of the frame, but I didn't want to lose what

a crop would also take out. Is it worth the effort to remove it in

Photoshop? Any other thoughts? Thanks.

Dang Mark, this *IS* good! Love the way the light "catches" the little kid. You complain about branches being in the way, I think you are being way to critical of yourself, the way the light strikes the subject there is no choice for the viewer but be drawn to what the photograph is all about... Excellent!

Mark,it's wonderful.I like it.Shots like this proves that at certain situations , B/W is one up over colored photographs.Keep it up.

Mark, the picture is wonderful. If you haven't mention of a possible cropping, I wouldn't have even think of it. But, because you've mentioned, I tried to simulate (with the help of a piece of white paper) several possible croppings. The problem, if it is one, is far to be the branch, but the window and the vertical black line at the left side of the window, all in the right-sided background, close to the upper corner. If you crop these things, you'll also crop the bottom branch, and all these will concentrate the attention on the boy. This bottom branch also seems to link the boys silhouette to the ground (don't ask me how), while eliminating it, I had the feeling that the boy was floating in this beautiful light (a strong surrealist feeling).

 

Don't understand please that there's a problem with your picture - It isn't! But, by doing this cropping you can get a second picture, completely different (in composition and aesthetic message) than this first one, and all these despite the very small differences in terms of content. There's not a wrong and a good picture here, but two different ones, each of it very good in its way. So, that's my humble opinion. And my humble scoring is: 2x10.

Wow, completely amazing photograph. Your focus is sharp where it needs to be, and your choice of depth of field is perfect. I really like this.

Thanks all, for the wonderful comments. Viorel, I'm glad you pointed out that window. I hadn't really noticed it. I had resisted cropping as I didn't want to lose the feeling of distance that was important to me. The crop you suggested, and a little off the top/left to correct the ballance, does increase the intimacy. Now I have to decide which I prefer. Thank you for the insight!

The halo effect of backlighting hair is fantastic. this is an image that invokes childhood memeories in just about anyone. Beautiful photograph.

Very good lighting;~}

I like the mood of this pic

I would ask a favor anyone who would rate this. Numbers don't really tell me anything. If you consider this a low score, or even a middle one, could you give a quick note as to why? The "why" helps me learn to be a better photographer. I see a 3/3 in there, but no comment. What would you have done different? What bothers you about the image? Thanks.

I really love this shot. Wonderful. Keep it up!

was this meant to parody Gene Smith's "walk to paradise garden"? (where's the missing girl?)??

I love the contrast between the light and the shadows. I just wish that instead of a fence, there was a large open space in front of the boy. "The road ahead," so the speak.

Actually, I only saw Smith's image for the first time just the other night. I did instantly think of this one. I was wondering if someone would think I was quoting. Smith's has a much more positive feel to it for me. I look at it as an emergence into the light out of darkness, with a hopeful and confident look to the future. Mine, I think, is much more ambiguous and moody: head down instead of up, the other body language, and yes, that wall. I don't mind the wall myself. Much of what I do has some element of isolation in it, which I think the wall contributes to. The only aspect I see as positive is the light. It's almost as if someone were watching over the little one, but there is a border. If unaware, which the child seems to be, it would be very easy to walk outside of the limit. To me it's not about the future, but about this special, fleeting moment. That's why I have a hard time critiquing my own work. I have too much of my own self tied up in it to see it objectively. That said, I did sit and stare at "Garden" for quite a while. I like what it has to say so much more; very powerful! After studying more of his work, he's on my list of favorites. Thanks for the comments.

Beautiful and touching. Wonderful work.