eddy ...like in the river Saying good-by

and I created this new rendition with the utmost reservation. However, I feel with some burning and vignetting and a bit of dodging on their faces that even more emotion comes to the surface, making the moment even more sacred.

 

Please let me know if you rather not have this particular critique here, and I will be glad to delete it.

 

Steve... thanks for asking...no I do not have problem with you playing around with this image...as i mentioned above I have printed this many different ways since I first posted it on P.nut...

I too have burned the annoying white strips protruding from the the top of both heads...and the a little bit on the arms...I do tend to print with maybe a tad too much contrast...I like your version just fine as well...The last printing of this was on a metallic paper with a sepia treatment...The original was shot on film printed in the traditional wet dark room and still is one of my all time favorites...Just this last couple of months I have been venturing a way from the traditional white mats...rarely do I shoot to post on the web only...I try to print most of what I shoot...at least once...but I am far from reaching that goal...your choice frame around the image works ok for me...but until I have the full size print in my hand do I really think about the mat and the frame...The version I have hanging is a 20x 20 full bleed no mat on the metallic paper.....Thanks for taking the time to comment and I am glad you enjoyed the image...Oh by the way you have a very impressive portfolio as well! I 'll be visiting it more soon...juan

Juan,

 

This image is what drew me to your portfolio from the beginning. I'm glad I came back and saw it again today. It is very powerful. Thanks again for visiting my portfolio as well.

Please note the following:

• This image has been selected for discussion. It is not necessarily the "best" picture the Elves have seen this week, nor is it a contest.
• Discussion of photo.net policy, including the choice of Photograph of the Week should not take place here, but in the Help & Questions Forum.
• The About Photograph of the Week page tells you more about this feature of photo.net.
• Before writing a contribution to this thread, please consider our reason for having this forum: to help people learn about photography. Visitors have browsed the gallery, found a few striking images and want to know things like why is it a good picture, why does it work? Or, indeed, why doesn't it work, or how could it be improved? Try to answer such questions with your contribution.

Two things bother me a little with this most expressive image. I can enjoy (if you can call it enjoy) the story that comes to me of having to put down an old dog. I have been through it a couple of times in my life. The dog is aware of the sad feelings the woman shows. Well done in that respect.

One of the two points I have difficulty with lie in the bottom of the picture. The woman is resteing her elbow on an object. Is it a purse, her knee, or something else all together. Also below the dog's shoulder is a white strip at the very bottom of the photograph. Those could be done away with by a simple crop just below the woman's elbow making a square format.

The other bothersome item is the dark blob on the light colored vertical strip (a pipe maybe) in the upper right side of the picture. That whole pipe could be removed, or at least the dark blob could be cloned to match the rest of the white pipe. I find my eye is continually drawn to that distraction. I love the sentiment shown and see an obvious story.

Willie the Cropper

Life is full of moments, some we don't wish to see often but still honorable. This photo captures the moment, thanks for sharing Juan.

Some photographs can stir up the emotional world of human being - this is one of those.

Some photographs can compel the viewer to come back again and again – this is one of those.

Some photographs become successful in strengthening the relationships of life – this is one of those.

Thanks a lot Juan for sharing this composition of emotions. Congratulations, my friend.

To me also, the vertical white line in the background is a distracter. Best regards.

Great moment captured nicely with rich tones and great light. A well deserving POW photo Juan, congrats.

Had no idea that this was the POW until I checked my spam box...it does not show up in the commented on photos box in my workplace. A pleasant surprise for sure...
I have been told that I look like an elf many times...But believe me I don't know what makes them tick...?
Bill thanks for your honesty...That bar over Sadie's head was burned wide open for about three hours...{I never had very good negs}... it drives me crazy...but since the original post of this image I have printed this without the lamp post and could not agree more with you...
Hand holding a Mamiya RB and using one for the first time...well kinda distracted me from seeing past two of my best friends.. I did not title this until after Sadie moved on to biscuit heaven...Thank You again for your thoughts.
Ken, Sumon, Michael...You make me smile with your kindness...First thing today... my mirror falls out of my 5D ...then my truck dies and wont start (on the way to a job interview)...after getting home I find this...been some day...?! I am glad this image worthy...enjoy...juan

I was going home with a leash in my hand crying my eyes out...14 year old airedale with a mind of her own, so I think I can understand your feelings. It is exquisite photo my friend. Someone could say why dont you cry ower pigs, cows and chicken you have eaten..well, they have not been part of my life.

A good selection for the POW. Otherwise, I would have missed this beautiful one.
To me, this is an excellent record of the bond between close friends. Loving each other, caring for each other...
Whatever the noted imperfections might be; this stands out as a unique record of a very special moment and, as such, "photography" at its best.

A very special and impressive photo in so many ways... The moment was captured wonderfully, and also technically everything is perfect.. Congratulations on the POW.. It has always been one of my favorites as well. Thanks for sharing..

Yes, I like this picture. Definately. Nothing in the frame really bothers me; the message gets accross, it is a simple, clear message, telling a story that moves me. As simple as that. Photography can be that simple, when it's well done, and when the photographer understand his subject well.
Now if I had to suggest anything, it might be to go for a perfectly squared format, by cropping a bit of the black area at the top and at the bottom. I was never comfortable with the 6x7 format, although I have used an RB67 for many years. But this is all small matter. What matters is what's telling the story inside the frame, and that's just beautifully captured. Best regards.

Very powerful & evocative image that speaks volumes. Very well done

It's hard to believe it's been almost three years since I first looked at and commented on this photograph. It hammered me then, both visually and emotionally, and the years have not lessened its impact. It's beautiful to look at, and it's hard to look at.
This photograph defines a life-changing moment in the lives of three beings...two humans and one animal...the unseen human being the photographer, himself. The emotions are there for all to see...there's nothing subliminal or hidden here.
Technically, for me, the composition is secondary here. Tone- and focus-wise, it's impeccable. The subjects define the moment and the photograph by their domination of the space. I don't see any background elements as being "distracting" at all...they're totally negated by the force of the subjects in the foreground.
If ever a photograph and photographer deserved "Photograph of the Week", it's you and this photograph. Congratulations, Juan!

recognition long overdue and richly deserved. It's only fitting that it should be on such photo because it's straightforward and honest as in fact all of your photo's are. Both of you share so much of your life with the rest of us and while that in itself is already a great gift you do it with outstanding photography to boot.
Thanks, to both of you, as much for this photo as for all else.

A photo full of affection, very tender and masterly taken.Nice and strong contrast and excellent metering.Best regards

This is one of the loveliest and saddest images I have seen in some time. What a strong bond, a hard thing to bear. Thank you for sharing your work.

For sure a 'moving' picture, sometimes you see a picture and you go back to your own memories/experiences... and ofcourse I also did do that, but I am still focused on this one, the strong emotions and connection between those 2 ladys is so real, you cannot set this, up so I am not borthered by the 'faults in it' that is easy to remove with photoshop I think. And I want to thank you for sharing your soal in your personal life, I respect YOU and YOUR love for it.
With love Els

This mean be really able to write the sentiments using the light ...

Compliments!

beautiful picture Juan. Strong. Very strong.

I love to see true B&W photographic moments like this one. Beautiful contrasts, powerful composition and lovely expretion on the face. Makes you think...... makes you try to imagine the true moment and the story behind. A Poetic image!!!

a bit too much melodrama. A lot can be said with a title, but you can also leave much to the viewers imagination. Blurting it out in a title takes away from what the viewer might have otherwise experienced, interacting with (dwelling on), the photograph. The presentation is a good one, and what is chosen to be left in or out is a personal decision, that may or may not have value in the future (assuming it's consumption lasts more than 15 minutes).

I joined photo.net forum today just to comment on this incredibly emotional image. It is beautiful yet painful. It does exactly what an image should. It stirs emotion. It captures a moment and tells a story. Every person who has ever had the great fortune of loving and being loved by a pet can remember that moment when they had to say good-bye. I can remember each time vividly. I cannot look at this image with dry eyes.
J

An emotive and well chosen POW. The photograph itself is indeed well done, especially under the conditions, both physical and emotional. I find the value of this photo as a documentary, striking; evidenced by initial comments and follow-ups by the same viewers literally years later. Juan, having been in this situation several times, I can only say that it stirs one's soul to view this image; it rattles our thoughts and reminds us that the simple love displayed by our devoted companions is a treasure. Thanks for sharing this with us.... Mike

"Until one has loved an animal, part of their soul remains unawakened." - Anon.