Helen Bogan Kelly, November 17, 1919-November 10, 2011

I lost my mom last week. Here she was at Christmas, 2007.

--Lannie

This image does have impact--in a scary sort of way. For Halloween, yes; as an image to pass on to posterity, no. The contrast in too strong and there is poor hair/ background separation.

Good!  It's high time.

I have other pictures of her posted as well:

http://photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=666430

Hit the right arrows.

--Lannie

Landrum, I'm sorry for your loss. I hope we all get blessed with such a long life...even Mr. Webster. I'll check out the other portraits. Thank you for sharing them.

I felt instinctively that she was related to you. Her strength of character is apparent in this picture. I really don't even know you, Lannie, and yet I can somehow see you in her. Isn't that strange?

I'm so sorry for the loss of your dear Mother.  I know you are still trying to find a way to say goodbye.

This is a lovely image of her.  I remember you saying once that she did not like to have her picture taken, but I know you are so glad you did anyway.

May she be rewarded well in heaven for raising such a wonderful man as you.

deb

Dear Landrum Kelly,

My apology to you if you thought I was attacking this image in a heartless way.  That was not my intent.  When critiquing images in the rating section one only sees the image and not the rest of the story unless in the critique images mode.  Had I known that this was your mother I would have added the following:  That you would post this image tells me that this rendition has special meaning for you and that is all that really counts.  When you ask for a critique you are reaching out to learn about the artistic merit of your image and how others see it.  Many photoshop filters and plug-ins exist to "help" photographers separate themselves from other artists and wind up producing images that all look alike. That is what the technical treatment of your mother reminds me of here.   I have not seen the rest of your gallery images of your mother and I look forward to doing so.  We are all different in what we value artistically.  My mother is deceased also and I value a more traditional well lighted candid snapshot with no special effects.

I am sorry for your loss. Your mom looked remarkably like my Grandmother, which is initially what caught my eye. Closer inspection of the photo itself reveals her kind eyes and strong bearing. That you are able to celebrate her life through photography is a blessing.

Best wishes for healing in this time of grief.

Amy

 

Lannie, So very sorry to hear of your loss. She looks like she had plenty of story in her! This is a lovely portrait to remember her. My sincere condolences.

 

Thanks to everyone. 

John, I am sorry if I came back too strong.  I might have made the same judgment out of context.  I actually did not use a "quickie" filter here, just kept playing with the usual variables until I had brought out a certain sweetness in the expression.  I don't like the hue that I used.

Jack "Mack," I hope that you are enduring your renewed exile alright.  I am not sure how much I am really like my mother, but I certainly admired the strength that she exerted through her gentleness.

Deb, Linda, Amy and others, your words are very comforting.  We did not know that she was terminally ill until a late Sunday night a few minutes before midnight (November 6), and she was gone late Wednesday night (technically Thursday, less than an hour after midnight)--not a lot of time to prepare emotionally for the shock: about three days and one hour.

--Lannie

I am no expert at converting color to B&W but here is my best effort from your original color image.  I softened the B&W image with dust and scratches and some gaussian blur.  It is a matter of personal preference about color verses black and white.  I prefer the color image for its' realism and vibrant appeal over the black and white in this case.  From your gallery I can tell you have much to celebrate in your life with your photography.  May you always enjoy creating and sharing your images.

It's a great picture.  It shows great depth and closeness.  best, jamie

Thanks, Jamie.

John, I am no portrait photographer, but I do know that most portrait photographers will soften the wrinkles where possible--if only because most clients don't want the wrinkles to be so obvious.

My simplest black and white conversion did not try to soften anything:

http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=9405041

My sister did not care for the harsh treatments, but I looked at the lines as evidence of hard years endured, including the Depression years.

Thank you for your time spent on this thread.

--Lannie

 

 

 

 

Lannie

 

Thinking of you as you reflect on today being your Mother's birthday.

 

deb

Lannie: So sorry to hear of the loss of your Mother.  I so remmember how I felt when my Mother passed in 1999.  At this time it's important to know that she is in a good place. You and your family will always have the memories of the life you shared. Tom

I very much like the photo, I think it shows the wisdom of her years, B&W was the right way to go. 

From an outsider's pont of view, your original has significantly more emotional impact because of the lack of softening.  I suspect that in the years to come, you will look at your original image and remember her better than if the images was softened. Your image appropriately says age and wisdom, not beauty and glamour.

 

Jim Phelps

Lannie,

  I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your mother.  You were very lucky to have her for so many year's.  Beautiful portrait of a lady with a gentle smile.  Take care, Patsy

Thanks to everyone for the kind words.

--Lannie

So sorry, Lannie!  My only suggestion would be to go back and have her eyes sharp, as in the original, and the rest softer.  I don't find the image "scary" at all, but a nice tribute to your mom.

Thank you, Kim.

--Lannie

This wonderful portrait of Aunt Helen captures her elegance, wit, and self-possession.  

I loved her dearly.

Kathleen Bogan