Untitled

I am an amateur. This picture is so great. I started to look at from her hands, I couldn't look at other place for a minute, then put my eyes on face, such a great expression.. but when I look little up and behind, I dont know why it doesn't give me complete satisfaction, rather give something ichy inside, is it because of the hat, I mean parttial hat. May be becuase of that feeling, I put my eyes again on her hand. and I am stunned again. 7/7

 

Thanks,

Mohammad

I find this photo compelling but also a bit disturbing. The girls expression seems a bit hardened considering her age and to me this implies some sort of exploitation. In other words the expression and attire do not seem to convey a happy day of make-believe but rather a coerced performance of some sort. The hands appear to be in a guarded position as though there is an expectation of danger or punishment.

 

This definitely does not remind me of Pierre Renoir, who painted mostly happy people having a good time. I can not seem to find that same joi de vive, in any of the work you have posted so far. All of that is not a condemnation but rather a lack of understanding on my part about what you are trying to convey. I do think a few other people are reading the photograph in a particular way to satisfy their own perceptions of childhood. This seems like a darker version of a Shirley Temple movie where the ending does not work out so well. This is provocative work to say the least but I am left searching for the all important context that takes it beyond merely being a pleasing image.

 

you say --- The girls expression seems a bit hardened considering her age and to me this implies some sort of exploitation. In other words the expression and attire do not seem to convey a happy day of make-believe but rather a coerced performance of some sort. The hands appear to be in a guarded position as though there is an expectation of danger or punishment. ---

 

i really have to laugh about thoughts like these..!, at least you are sincere enough to write it in public... what a perverse mind :)) this day i was going to make a self portrait so i had these clothes prepared for myself .. ariel was playing around and said : mama, i want to make photos .. :) so, i dressed her and just for fun , look what came out ! she is a child with enourmous fantasy , is known for always dressing up.. the last few days shes been going around as a pirate, before it was always spidy.. anyway maybe you dont have too much contact with children, i am with children all day long.. so its not your fault if you dont know that children DO have their character, and the more they are respected the more that character shows

 

best regards,

Carina

Thanks for the thoughtful response. Fortunately the mind does not need to be perverse in order to recognize that perversion and abuse exist in the world and that its existence occasionally taints our impression of things. It sounds like Ariel is one of those souls who takes her play very seriously. I am glad to know you are both happy and respectful collaborators in life and in art.

 

The fact is that I have six interesting and independent characters of my own, though they are just about all grown up now. A couple of them are camera shy but most are big hams who love striking a pose whenever there is a camera in the room.

 

I am amused by your response, since I have just spent a few hours looking at nearly everything in your portfolio for far too long. As I mentioned in another post, I have seen this expression many times since I studied fine art, and expressions similar to this can be found in many Old Master paintings, especially the religious ones...thinking of the many cherubs I've seen, which she is. For me, this is nothing short of perfect.

CAPTIVATING !

Very nice portrait. good work. good colors.

you say --- Fortunately the mind does not need to be perverse in order to recognize that perversion and abuse exist in the world -- this is absolutely right ..! :) but, in your first comment you sounded so sure about negative feelings in this childs expression ...? strong portraits are like mirrors

 

and to understand my portraits, because you also said --I can not seem to find that same joi de vive, in any of the work you have posted so far. All of that is not a condemnation but rather a lack of understanding on my part about what you are trying to convey---

 

i never ask my models to smile, or to look angry, or to make any kind of expression. i just want them to feel very relaxed, if i see tension on the face or on the body , i will say so.. and play around waiting for the coolest expression of the model, that is , when the model is totally oblivious to the camera, just the person, thats it :)

 

 

... and thank you D. L. Stupski, maybe the old master paintings had this type of expression because the models had to pose for such a long time they would enter a kind of meditative state :)) thats the kind of expression i look for in my photos too

 

thank you all and best wishes,

Carina

 

she talk with her eye

i want look her eye for long time

 

 

"" It sounds like Ariel is one of those souls who takes her play very seriously.""

 

Ariel has great fun dressing up, but believe me, try to photograph her if she dosent like it that moment, NO way! she tells us when she likes it ;))

Carina, You are truly a gifted artist..you work is thought provoking,beautifully lit and interesting. Thank you for your gift my eyes had the pleasure of seeing.

The girl has a really mysterious expression. I like this.

This is just great. The nice lighting, expression, pose, and those eyes, those eyes, those eyes. Mesmerizing. I think everything came together on this one. This one ranks up there with the National Geographic "Afghan Girl" with the eyes showing the entire human race. I wonder how many people stuck it on their desktop for inspiration?

Ali made the comment that she talks with her eyes but I keep wondering what she is saying, maybe she is not saying anything at the moment. Carina if I understand you correctly, you are trying to show your subjects in a neutral or dispassionate state of emotion. That is an interesting idea that I think people would have strong opinions about (perfect for discussion).

 

Personally, I prefer more passion and less meditation but that does not prevent me from enjoying the work of other photographers. I am perfectly happy that we do not all think exactly alike. How boring would that be? Thanks for sharing your thoughts and helping me to understand your creative process a little better.

 

I never said neutral or dispassionate state of emotion, i just dont want false , artificial,unatural expression... i want people to be themselves ... any kind of expression can come out

passionate, angry, worried, happy, bored , cold, cool, sexy...who knows :)

 

 

you asked --Ali made the comment that she talks with her eyes but I keep wondering what she is saying--

 

its like a mirror... you have to find out for yourself ;)

 

Congratulations !

wonderful photo !!!!!.

Although you break teh rule to place model on teh center , but you do that beautifully... The intensity of eye is precious and the hand position is good too... I hope teh background could be slightly bluu more. or it is a very good photo..

 

Longtang John Lin

Ha.. now I knwo the secret how you are interact with the model so well and draw her expression out.. You are her Mom.. Gee.. I bet you are the only one in the world who can take such photo of her... I took 10000+ photos of my daughter, of which some is displaied in photo.net, but I can never draw my daugher 's expression like this one.. because I am Dad,, :-)

 

Thanks for sharing with us this photo,, I think it deserve 7/7.... absolutely..

 

Longtang John Lin

 

 

 

 

what a beauty!

 

.oesse.

Such a beautiful photograph AND beautiful little girl. Natural light...it's just lovely! Her hair just shimmers! Wonderful portrait.

great shot.

lovely ethereal quality....thanks barry

I Love it !

Dennis...

 

Your interpretation of the work speaks about you, not about the subject or the photographer. This is the beauty of portraiture as art and photography that veers off from the "pretty, smiling face". This art brings out the mindset of the viewer quickly and with fury.

 

There is no story here, only shape, human expression (not emotion - only interpretation of emotion), colour, light, shadow, style and beauty...

 

The "story" or "reality" is then what you make up...

 

Fiction... for your mind to create.

 

This is the simple reality...

 

dR

I have come to the conclusion that it is pointless to comment on other photographers work since people seemed convinced that I am only painting a portrait of my own pre-dispositions.

 

The moment of capture is the photographers decision, not mine. The expression captured is a collaboration of the subject and the photographer. Expressions do reveal states of emotion and feelings. Carina states that any emotion is fine with her but the emotion (or expression) that seems to predominate the work that she (not me) has chosen to display here seems to all have a consistently similar feeling. The photographs all seem to convey the same thought or emotions, which I can assure you has nothing to do with the way I feel. Such a consistency of expression would seem to be by design rather than by coincidence. The photographer chooses to present this view of the world. Why?

 

My thoughts are primarily the result of observation, not introspection. The photograph is not a mirror but an image that was crafted by the photographer. My interpretation is beside the point. I want to know what the photographer is trying to communicate and that is what I asked to begin with. This is not a blank canvas, or a mirror, or a crystal ball. I am trying to learn something about the photographers work. I already know more about myself than so many people presume to.