Dancing with Her Shadow

Dancing with My Shadow. Thousands of us came to Washington D.C. in

early April to see the Cherry Blossom Festival in full bloom. I was

sitting on a bench on the National Mall outside the National Gallery

of Art at noon on a sunny Sunday, when this beautiful little girl came

twirling, twirling, twirling down the mall towards the capital as her

father tried to keep up. I got a few shots of her as she caught my eye

here. There was strong back lighting, but thank to the RAW file,

there was plenty of resident data to draw out the natural light. I

must have tried every possible variation of B/W conversion, split

toning, filters, film grains, etc. but never completely satisfied.

This is the result of a relatively simple process. I just had to

stop. Thanks for looking. Ratings and comments welcome. David

lovely pic. cute kid.

:)

Exquiste David.  That angelic expression of carefree bliss makes me yearn for childhood again.  I guess we can relive it vicariously throught your masterful photograps . . .

Hope you are well and happily pursuing more fine images,

David

Brilliant, David.

The pose and composition are first class.  The crackers add more childish charm to the photo, as does the wind playfully striking some hair off the top of this little subject's head.  This image is also a lesson in how to accentuate the tonality and beauty of skin.

Lastly, I prefer the black and white post processing because, in addition to enhancing the skin tone, it also brings out the delightful pattern in the dress.

Simply magical.

Outstanding capture David!

Great shot,composition and title...Regards(Bobby).

Was she really looking at her shadow as she "came twirling, twirling, twirling down the mall towards the capital as her father tried to keep up"? Or is that your own fancy? (More, later)

That was my fancy.  She must have twirled a dozen times or so as she passed by.

I like both vesion of your work. This B&W it is very nice, because keep more the atention in the pose of the girl and her shadow. Well done..!

Ricardo

I asked because the position of her head made it seem seem to me she wasn't looking down at her shadow; she, in fact, may not even have been conscious of its dark presence... the caption could perhaps be 'Dancing With Her Shadow' (i know i'm quibbling but from her point of view she was not dancing with her shadow)

David, I am not too enamored by the shadow as frozen in this capture... it gives, in my viewpoint, a perhaps spookish aspect to this lovely girl

If I could shut my eyes to the earthy backdrop I would like the monochrome over the color - but as I cannot, I choose the color version: the brown earth of the color version is more appealing to me than the sunlit but arid gray of the monochrome

if one could crop-off the bottom till her shoe..... or in processing add more light to the earth, lightening the shadow.....

Interesting perspective.  I am handicapped, because I was there and remember taking this picture with the strong sun on both of us, so the shadow seems natural, but I see your point.  As between the B/W and color, I like the color more often than the B/W, although I'm not entirely satisfied with either.  I like the color version because of the colors of her dress.  I imagine how her parents feel when they put a such a colorful dress on her.  I think I want more out of this image than is there, and I'm not certain what it is yet.  Fortunately, I can always go back and change it.  As to removing the shadow, I'll play around and see what it looks like. 

Rajat,  Also take a look at the additional image I posted in the color version.  Thanks for your comments.  Nice to hear from you.   David

I prefer this B/W version!...Ciaomau!

perfect timing.  well done- regards, mmwhite.

Very good catch that let see the motion of the dancing, really like your B&W version, but the shadow it's look very big and black, sorry this what i see, in common i really loke this great motion shot.

Great moment captured ... viewpoint works great.

While I understand how Rajat finds the shadow unholy, I think that without it this image loses much of its content, freshness and personality.

There are many compositions of frolicking children but few juxtapose subject and shadow in such a charming and wonderfully counterbalanced manner.

I want to thank all of my friends for your comments, and especially those taking the time to give your input on an image that is perhaps of no great moment, but nevertheless made some connection. Special thanks to David, Calvin, Rajat, Ricardo and Igor for your helpful points.  I toned down the shadow just a little bit (replaced the original) so it is not so strong, to consider.  I don't think doing so adversely affects the overall image.  The sun and resulting shadow were quite strong that day, and the contrast is enhanced in the B/W version.  Thanks again to all.  David

Fantastic shot, David...lovely moment and shadow...my best

She is just like a little porceline doll David....not a care in the world and lost in her 'own moment'.  Childhood..it should always be this way.  Blissful moments that are like a dream.   I think you did a great job.....sincerely, Gail

Thank you Kallol and Gail.  I appreciate it very much.  David

Hi David, I just looked at the color version of this, and although her colorful dress does add much to that version, I personally like the B&W best. I didn't see the stronger shadow you removed from the earlier version, but I really like the way you framed the little girl & her shadow in your photo. One minor detail (which of course = very normal with little children, but what also is more apparent in the color version)  is that little cookie she is holding in her hand... It made me look twice at her lower hand in the picture, because something seemed odd there at first. But once I saw it was a cookie, (and even 2) it right away made more sense :-) Congratulations: Really a very cute picture, with a nice twirl indeed! -- Best regards, Marjolein

Beautifully captured image:-)