sprogs (b/w) Untitled

This is a portrait that is supposed to give the impression of

someone going slightly mad - you know, rocking back and forward on a

chair, never looking up. Lighting was provided just by a Nintendo DS

portable games console (so very low light). No other lights were on

in the room, apart from one candle burning on a table (we had a

power cut, so of course I had to get the camera out!).

 

any thoughts, comments, suggestions for improvement etc would be

much appreciated.

 

Pete

Hi Pete, I think the message came through to me. The image is frightening! Reminds me of the Munch's "scream", but in a more silent, dramatic way...

Good one!

RCh

The downcast eyes and the positioning of the lips give me the impression that there is some angst going on for sure. The effect for me is more the kind of madness that comes from deep depression than the scary axe murderer type of crazy. I think morose is the word I was looking for. The overall soft focus and the toning go well together as they did in your portrait of your son. It gives an aged photo effect that suits these portraits you have been doing. You have a real knack for this style. You need to get the entire family including the wife and a self portrait. In this photo I like how you have used the long hair to frame the image on 3 sides and the fourth side falling into shadow leaves the light and attention on the face. Bravo Pete!! What's that now... two down and four to go ? or have I lost count :)

You make me look like I am not crazy! Ok, so when I take out my camera and take like 800 pictures on a trip for an hour because I am bored I don't look like a crazy person.

 

I love the grain and I love the way she looks in this picture!

 

I love that you try things like this and tell us exactly what you did.

 

I so need to just get my BUTT in gear and stop doing these silly "HOCKEY" pictures (and other stuff) for a couple hours a day and play play play (and I don't mean get on the X-box or guitar hero) but PLAY with silly camera.

 

I love that you did this with the Nintendo DS portable games console.

 

You are a ROCKING dad because not only are you doing this WITH the camera but you are interacting with your kids. :)

 

Much better than just watching the TV and telling them to leave you alone.

 

:) ~ thanks for the encouragement, ~ micki

Roberto, thank you for letting me know that some sense of madness comes from this image. And comparison with Munch's "Scream" - you've put a smile on my face :) She can be frightening - definitely not one to hold back on emotions and we certainly know how she feels at any one moment! Not that she's mad of course - that's just an image I wanted to create - but she is a bit bonkers ;)

Gord, thank you so much for letting me know these images are working effectively. I think you might be right in the appearance of deep depression, or some sort of angst. A lot of stuff builds up at school that she keeps to herself when there, and always has her smily face on during school time. We know it gets her down - thing like a friend who won't let her have other friends and pulls her around - and she lets rip at home! Funny thing is, when I took this she was in happy mood....just didn't look it :) I really can't wait to share these pictures with the kids again when they're all grown up and with kids of their own.

Gord, forgot to say - I think I've lost count too! It may be 3 down 3 to go if I'm lucky....