Strength

This photo is dedicated the strongest person I know, Nicki Kane.

 

In memory of her Mother, Bonnie Lynn Nevill, who was savagely beaten

to death in front of Nicki just a month before her 6th Birthday by

her Step Father.

 

Nicki, you have never used this as an excuse, your Mother would be

proud of you for all you've done.

Touching and strong what you share...I'm sorry for her lost but glad to know she is strong and a good person...a priceless photo, excellent composed and with lost of feelings...

what a hellava eye opener... Technically smack dab on....no kiddin'. Assignment wise, especially with the story behind this...right on....

Never walk down a road like this, so I can't say I know how hard that was..... I can't even begin to imagine something like that when I was six. ~~Gray Beard

Thank you

 

She is an amazing Woman.

 

For anyone else interested, that's what the Tattoo on her back is for.

OMG! Nicki, I'm so sorry for your loss...you are very strong to share your pain so openly with us... thank you. Darren, you've handled this beautifully and I can see why Nicki trusted you with this...you've show you are deserving of that trust by the way you've done this. Very well done.

 

Leslie

OMG! Nicki, I'm so sorry...Last week Jan opens to us and this week you do the same. As with Jans shot it has also touched me that you shared that with us.

Darren, REALLY powerful image. The composition and the lighting are excellent. All the elements of a great photograph.

The placement of the hand and its connection with the page and the pages connection with the headstone.

 

Take my hat off, really impressed.

 

Won't let me give 7, what a jip..gave the next best..

 

Ger..

I'm crying again. And I am speechless. And I am honoured that you would share this Nicki. I knew the tattoo was for your mom but didn't know the circumstances. As for you Darren.... You have portrayed Nicki in all her strength and all her spirit in the most beautiful light you could find - the light of the sun that has not only illuminated her but will forever illuminate that stone too. This is a really well done (technically) photo! And oh yes - I know of no mother who should be prouder. Incredible!

The composition shows a lot of thought and caring went into this.

I like the tones and the flowers creeping in along the top.

I don't see a photo on Nicki's site - is this a joint effort?

Nicki, you know what I do for a living...unfortunately it has brought me close to this kind of thing many times over the last 20 years. But NOTHING could ever come close to the heartache and pain you must have felt. You are a very brave person to get through something like this, and to blossom into such a kind, gentle, beautiful young woman. Darren: Excellent work. She's lucky she will have a protector (an almost greek god-like warrior no less), for the rest of her life. 7/7

Thank you all very much. Nicki thanks you also, and says that her photo is coming.

 

I wanted to share with everyone part of the reason I love her so much. Her Strength, compassion, and sheer will power is always inspiring to me.

 

Too many people would use such a tragedy as a crutch in life, she uses it to prove she can do anything. I am going to post some of the other idea's we had for this shoot... This was the one that Nicki chose, so of coarse, was the one that we went with.

So without saying much more about the emotion of this picture (WOW ~ WHAT EMOTION) I want to talk about the STRENGTH I see in this picture.

 

The first thing I saw after I realized what the picture was about and had to think about the picture was the framing.

 

I don't know if you realized it but even without the frame you put on the picture you framed the picture with the grass and flowers and her hair (except for that body of Nicki).

 

I love how her Tatoo of the angel matches the Tatoo on the headstone and the way she pushes her self up just so. The black lace and the hair are a great contrast to the flower and the pale skin matches the paper as the tatoo's color matches the grave.

 

I will say the color contrast is perfect and the sharpness of the picture is so clear I can almost read the print of the paper.

 

I knew from the earlier picture that it was a picture of someone in uniform (I recognized the HAT as it is just like a hat like my husband wears in his "BLUES" as the call it.

 

I wasn't expecting this. This is a very powerful picture and you did an excellent job presenting it.

 

~ micki

Wonderful image... sad story, but shows that the human spirit is stronger than any evil that can effect us.. Regards.....LJ

Micki, thank you so much for your always thoughtful comments, they mean so very much to me.

 

Lesa, thank you for taking the time to read through it, and for leaving a comment. Nicki will love reading them all.

Darren and Nicki,

 

Words cannot describe this well enough. I'm so sorry for your loss Nicki, and so amazed at your strength. There is more than that here though, and that is what isn't portrayed directly in the image... the strength of the love and trust of the two of you.

 

Darren, as others have noted, the technical quality of this image couldn't be better. The impact is beyond anything I've seen. I'm honored to view it.

John

 

Thank you so much! I'm glad you like it, and I'm glad it reached you.

Darren, what a powerful portrayal of strength. This shot and story certainly has a strong impact on me. It takes such strength to deal with something like that. The contrast adds amazing punch. Excellent shot. Sincerely, Oliver

Thank you Oliver

 

I am glad you like it.

Thank You Everyone,

 

Especially Darren for your Love for me & your understanding with what I hold very dear to me you make it a conscience's to make sure you that whatever it is you are their fore me no matter what!

 

But their is no Need for the Sorry's.

 

I believe everything happens for a reason.

 

This may sound strange but it is so really to me..Before I met Darren my Mom use to come to me in dreams & I would have conversations with her all the time...But as soon as Darren came into my life my mother had said that I am going to be o.k. & it was time for me to let her go.

 

So their is an example that everything happends for a reason..even if it is a hard in life.

 

Thank you Everyone!

 

Darren, All I want to say is OMG. But since I am a Warrior now I vow not to do that :O) This is the perfect image for our topic of STRENGTH. It represents strength on so many levels. I am so touched by this story and the image, I just cant express it in words. Im so not good at writing what I see and feel. I just want to give Nicki the biggest hug ever. What a great attitude you have Nicki. I know people who have been thru far less and use it as an excuse for everything bad in their life. Sharing your story will touch more people than you could ever imagine. As for the details of the pic...the placement of Bonnies headstone, the paper and Nickis tattoo (and Nicki) make the perfect composition. By the way...nice tattoo. The BW tones are powerful as it should be. The lighting is also great. I agree the pic is well framed with the contents of the image. IMHO I dont think the additional frame adds anything to this pic. Truely a great image I will come back to visit again and again. Thank you both for sharing. Leanna

Fantastic image Darren and so well done, true tribute to such an emotional event. Rich.

Thank you all once again.

 

Nicki. XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO ;)

DARREN: You handled this shot with great care, respect and talent. Every element has a purpose and speaks to the story. It is no wonder that Nicki trusts you like she does. I am curious about the "button like" object on her head stone?

 

NICKI: Per your request, I will not say that I'm sorry. Everything does indeed happen for a reason. Often a reason that we do not understand at the time. It takes a person with amazing strength to turn such a tragic event into a positive thing. Your loved ones are very fortunate to have you in their lives. So are the Warriors! As I looked at this "Larger", it was easy to see where you got your beauty. : )

The combination of the photo (a virtual collage of emotionally devastating images - the gravestone, the headlines, the documentary pictures - and quiet beauty - Nicki's face, the tattoo, her hand, the flowers, the radiant light) and your words is a testament to what the love and support of two individuals coming together can engender. You have been more than personal and very intimate with your sharing of these images, thoughts, memories, and feelings. That touches me very much. It's an honor to be let into such life stories and a tribute to you both that you are able to do it. A photo such as this neither deserves nor commands an actual "critique." That would be like critiquing a marriage proposal, wedding vows, a eulogy, or a heartfelt apology. Suffice it to say that it refreshes my respect for human nature (which feels like it gets tested daily) to be reminded that unimaginable horror and adversity can be channeled over time and with the proper countervailing attitudes like love and family to evolve into strength and hope. --Fred

Thank You everyone,

 

You are all very kind I am glad I joined photo.net..But it also wouldn't have happened if I didn't meet Darren & also wouldn't know that I am an alright piture taker LOL!...