Happy Birthday!

The last of the series, and my favorite (in a sad sort of way). Here is this Memorial, which I found to be profoundly sad, especially the symbolism of the chairs. And there's this bright mylar balloon tied to one of the smaller children's chairs to say "Happy Birthday". It took my breath away. I figured B&W to be appropriate for the shot, but wanted some of the color from the balloon to remain, so I lowered the saturation. Is the selective coloring appropriate here? Any other thoughts?

Part of a series of images from this memorial. Any comments or

ratings are appreciated!

This image immediately reminded me of one of

my own. And if I may borrow a word from one of the comments there. I say it applies just as much here. Very poignant!

..and about the semi-coloured ballon, may I suggest you try and run this image through Photoshop and see if you like it with a green, red or even the infra-red filter? You may like the result.

Regards ~ Mike

Nope. Selective coloration/desaturation remains a trite trick that dehances.

Thank you both Wayne & Mike. Wayne - what would you do with this image instead? Leave the entire image B&W? Color? Low saturation?

I agree about this being the creme de la creme. Absolutely, undoubtedly my favorite of your series. Well done.

 

I do agree with Mike Stemberg about the filter. I too would de-saturate the entire image and apply a color filter (but probably not the infrared. I think that treatment might detract from rather than enhance the composition.)

 

Brava, Lou Ann. A good story well told.

 

Cheers ~

Lou Ann, For me, this one was elevated by a quantum leap to a very powerful photo after I realized where it was located. Context with this one is the most essential element. Though I agree fully with Wayne's statement under most circumstances, I would part company with him on this one. Desaturation of all but the balloon is very effective here, like the little girl in the red coat in the B&W film Schindler's List. It reminds us that someone's little sweetheart is gone but will never be forgotten by them. I can appreciate the lump you must have had in your throat when you were taking this because it's caused one in mine. Your other 2 current offerings at this same location are good record shots but not nearly as emotion invoking at this one. Good decision. Best, LM.

Lou Ann; "What would I do?" --Il'd cull it, in context that this is way better in the series.

Of course it just may be that my judgement of "best" is off the mark....

I think I connect most emotionally with this photo out of all the ones in this series. The others in the series are beautiful and poignant (esp. the one with the weeping Jesus), but this one is different--that balloon really lends a human element to the photo and reminds us of what is missing and what has been taken away. It would have been this person's birthday if he/she had been given the opportunity to live. Although the chairs are symbolic of people's lives, the balloon is an everyday concrete object that really hits home because it's something this person would have had if he/she had lived. Seeing this makes me sad and angry and grateful that my own loved ones are safe all at the same time.

 

As far as the selective desaturization, I have done it a few times, but it's not really my favorite, and I see where Wayne is coming from. However, while I respect his opinion, I think it is overstated in this photo. I think the importance of the emotions outweighs the importance of the technique -- with this in perspective, I think I don't care whether it's in color, black and white, or a little bit of both. Then again, maybe the color represents something -- maybe it represents life (or the fantasy of what might and should have been), while the black and white represents the grim reality of what happened. Or maybe it's just for emphasis--if so, I think it would still be strongly emphasized in black and white.

 

Sorry to ramble on. Sometimes it's hard to say everything you have to say succinctly. Thank you for indulging me.

I greatly appreciate everyone's comments (even the long ones - no need to apologize, Doug!) I knew that the selective B&W would be questionable at best with this. And I made sure to desaturate the color of the balloon significantly - it was VERY bright. (I'm not at home with my external drive, or I'd show you the original.) I also appreciate so much everyone's input on this whole series. The memorial is a very emotional place, very wonderfully presented, and in many ways very profound. It's in the middle of downtown, yet has a quiet respectful and peaceful feeling to it. This is a place that I would recommend going out of your way to visit!

I have really enjoyed your photos from this site LA. I agree with Wayne that the photo he linked to in his last comment is the "BEST" in the series, but this one really brings it home for me. I like the bit of color, a bit of life and reality that this brings just like the Schindler's List reference made by Len.

 

Great work overall! Congrats.

That's what I love about PN; is that we all see things differently. One's view ain't right; and another's ain't wrong; it is all in the eye of the artist and the beholder. For me, this image doesn't do anything. Of course, I get it; but IMHO it doesn't have the visceral punch of your 'weeping Christ' or the photo that Wayne selected. I really do think those two are the best of the entire lot, by far. This image might be better if it were in color; but that's not the effect, or the mood, that you were trying to convey. I do like the allusion to the Spielberg effect in Schindler's List; it does make me think about your photo in a different light.

 

I'm assuming you were down in D.C. this weekend? How's it goin'? Are you getting closer to making your move? Are the cherry blossoms getting close? Hah! Your turn to answer some questions for a switch

LouAnn, I'm sorry it's taken so long to get to these shots, but I've been so busy lately. No excuses, though. I absolutely love this series.

 

Okay, for this shot you asked about the desat and the balloon. My thoughts are that the B&W and the bit of grain for the majority of the shot is just right and leaving the balloon with some color works for me. The reason? Well, children are vibrant. They add so much color to our lives and although that child is gone now, the memories of his/her life are still vivid and "in color" in the lives of those who loved him. By leaving the balloon in color, you have reminded us all about the fact that children were killed here and that although they are gone, they are not forgotten. Their bright little lives still leave a tremendous impact on those who survived. It reminds us that this isn't just any memorial, or just any life that was lost; it screams out to remember that this was a child who was lost, someone so innocent, so full of life, so loved and still very much a part of their loved ones lives. Am I making any sense?

Chris - yes, I'm in DC for about two days, did some shooting last night and will do some more today, but the weather is crappy, so I'm not getting any good skies. (Oh, well!) And, I have to say that I can't believe it ... the trees are actually starting to bud here in Virginia. We still have a couple of feet of snow on the ground in Buffalo ... but the weather here in VA is warm (relatively speaking, of course) and the trees are ready to go. I'm planning to be back down here in about two weeks to meet up with a former PNer who will be in town from Europe. I am willing to bet that the trees will be exploding color by then!! As far as my permanent move ... I still don't know because I'm still doing the job search thing. But I am really hoping that things work out to bring me back down here.....

 

Leslie - you are totally making sense. Thank you for your comment ... after all the trouble you went through to make it. :-) I have to tell you that when I saw this balloon I kept thinking that if the child had been one of the ones killed in the pre-school area, let's say he/she was about 3 years old, they would be about 15 when this image was taken. Practically an adult. So much living missed out on ... and so much of the life of this child that the family missed out on. So sad...

 

Thanks, by the way, for everyone's interest and comments on this photo. I knew it would be hot or cold. I also especially appreciate the reference to Schindler's List. I didn't think of it that way, but that red dress really sent a chill down my spine ... sort of like this balloon.

Such a tender and touching image, Lou Ann. It really does not need words.

Super shot. I was not familiar with the structures in the images so the image was sort of 'so-so'. The image became much more powerful once I knew what the strutures were. Well done.

I like this, Lou Ann. I'm not normally a big fan of the selective color thing, but this is probably a good use for it. Certainly does get attention and makes one think, if the viewer understands the setting.

 

Hope all is well.