family album Untitled

I don't think this is the typical baby/family shot. Typically, they're all in focus with some goofy fake smiles on! This, on the other hand, is an artfully done color portrait... without ever even showing the faces. I think this picture has many great qualities, none the least of which its good use of color and depth of field. Good job!

I think a little more depth of focus would help, notice that everything but the small child is out of focus, unless this was deliberate for some reason.

 

Ted, it's interesting that you would like to have every in focus in this picture, why?

I deliberately did it that way, because I thought it emphasizes that the couple is going away (which the kid seems to dislike).

But if you give me a good reason why in this kind of picture everything should be in focus, I'll try next time.

 

With subjects familiar to me it's sometimes difficult to separate why

a particular photo appeals to me: because I like the people in

the picure or because there is more to it (color, composition, story,

...) that makes the picture stand alone.

I'm posting this one to find out if a 'general audience' finds

something about this picture 'appealing' and why.

-4 for not taking one step to the right and disconnecting the toddler's head from the man's buttocks.

John, you are right, thanks for the comment, I have to be more alert next time

Bernhard,

 

I think the shallow depth of field encourages the viewer to adopt the perspective of the child, looking toward the adults further away. More broadly, it is evident that you are thinking about constructing a meaningful image rather than simply clicking off a cute but otherwise empty snapshot. Good job!

Wow! great light and balance it makes you stop and look!!!!

I've looked at this photo a number of times and enjoy it more on each visit. Even with the kid tethered to his father, it is a striking image with a wonderful dynamic, particularly the way the little fellow appears distraught at the distance between him and his parents. I think your choice of DOF to be perfect here as it augments the tots isolation and contributes to the narrative of the image. It also blesses us with a glorious painterly background. I like this a lot.

Thanks Bert,

 

what I like about your comment is, that I obviuosly was able to tell a story.

Unfortunately the story was different.

 

I'm the father of that little guy. He was playing on the beach when the couple came by and he cheerfully offered them a hand full of sand. They smiled but didn't want the gift and when they passed him, he turned and looked after them with a mixture of amazement and disappointment.

Excellent use of DOF. The angled sunlight and the deep blue of the sky nicely complement. The body language on the infant is delightful. The overall effect on me is an "enclosed" feeling, a quiet intimacy, almost as if it was shot in a studio. Quite strange and compelling.

Living half a mile from this beach, and often going out with surfin' buddies three times a week, I'm struck by the golden hour in this shot during June (even though I can tell the sky wasn't all that clear). People may believe San Diego is sunny and 72 year round, but the residents often complain about the May gray and June gloom, where the marine layer hides the sunlight. I believe this has been a terrible year to find sunshine along the coast and/or decent visibility. Technically, I think this is a great shot and one I wish I would've taken, but personally it makes me wish I saw more sunshine at Torrey Pines.

I don't rate pictures but I will comment on the comments. I think the choice of shallow DOF is excellent.

 

I wonder -- if you had taken the step to the right/left to change the position of the head of the child if you would have still captured the moment. Furthermore, with the shallow DOF I hardly think it is needed.

 

Nice image/nice colours.

Don't leave me alooooone :-))

I can hear !

beautiful

I very much like this photo. My impression is that the background is a watercolor painting. The couple in the middle are in the process of jumping into the painting. This provides excellent movement. Your child looks on in wonder and anticipation, never quite sure about how the world works, and hesitation, unwilling to move from his spot of safety. What is reality?

Superbly cropped/composed shot (one step right or not!) supported by flawless light. Really a step above the rest...well done!

Superbly cropped/composed shot

 

No crop, shot is full frame.

Bern, came looking at your work becuase you rated a photo of mine a 4 O and 5 A. When I get a 4 or below, I like to look at the work of the rater to see if I can improve on my work or if the person has no taste. :-) In this case, I feel the 4 was well deserved. Great shot. You make me think about my work and how I can improve. Thanks.

 

Joe

 

PS. 6 Originality 5 Asthetics (agreeing with the comment about disconnecting the head from the butt. :-p )

Probably your best (7/7)

bernhard.

 

if this happened to me, 10 consecutive 2-litre vodka nights would follow. do you realise you just missed taking one of the greatest colour pictures of all time?! a second earlier or a step to the right... i almost want to cry.

 

...but hey, this is still leagues above our current (as i write) stiff and kitschy photo of the week.

 

vuk.

Thanks buddy,

 

Yeah, I know, the step to the right. What can I say, you're all right.

 

I really would like to return the favour of commenting on my piccs, why don't you post a few of yours?

bernhard.

 

i'm not too thrilled with the extra compression the site forces on picture uploads, so i prefer to simply host my stuff privately. that said, you can see a few new ones (and leave a comment) in the camera review i've just written for photonet: click here.