Frog In Hand - (enlarge)

This is another image in the series of Photos I took in August of 2014

where I met these 2 wonderful boys at our Ecology Park. Excited,

muddy, full of enthusiasm and so wanting to tell me of their

adventure at a nearby swamp. They even invited me to come along

with them when they went back but thought I might get scared of the

snakes. No Cell phones or any other Electronic Gadgets, just 2 boys

between 10-12, muddy and excited about their Jar of Frogs that they

intended to use to repopulate the little pond near the Gazebo at the

Ecology Park. It was a great afternoon. I tried a filter on this one - still

not sure if I like it a lot - let me know what you think please (kind

regards always, Gail:)

I like this image. To me the frog looks very natural and vulnerable with its belly exposed. I like the filter you used too.

Well done, the frog is very relax, I think it could be a prince. :) Saludos. M.

This image took up basically the whole frame of the camera. The young boy, Riley, was holding this frog so gently. With this filter, it is difficult to see that the lines on the belly, the main one, is part of the creek foliage. The frog does look vulnerable but in truth it wasn't even trying to escape the young boy's grasp. Thanks Chuck for your thoughts expressed.

Well I guess I'll take 'twisted'. You are right, I don't usually post anything like this. But for some reason I was drawn to it. It took awhile before I decided to post it.  This boy's hands were so dirty, mucky, scraped and actually I thought he would have very sore hands by the time he got cleaned up to what his Mom probably would expect before supper.  But he was so happy just doing what boys do in the summer - or at least what they used to do at this age!

I never thought about it being a Prince !!! and I missed out on a kiss!  The frog was quite relaxed.  The boy's friend actually helped put a smaller one on the back of this one, it is cute but a bit out of focus!!  Nice to see kids have fun.

Hi Gail 

Hope you're well. Love this. Evocative. Reminds me of my childhood, grubby hands and the wonder of nature captured in my net.

Take care

Tony

PS After a year without being able to do anything, I have just started again with pictures of our new puppy, so hope to start posting again soon.

Sorry I missed this Tony, the time goes by so fast. So happy to hear you are doing better and longing to post. I will check your Portfolio out right away.  I was not sure how this would be received - and overall still not sure - but your remarks are the closest to what I was hoping for - the fascination of a boy during the summer - always fascinated by nature and exploring all that it has to offer - these are the natural toys of the past.  Sure beats this crazed 'pokeman' thing that is going on - how insane.

Dear Gale: Receiving comments from such an accomplished photographer humbles me and honor me. I thank you for the time you kindly take to look at my images, as your feedback not only makes me want to keep doing this, a hobby I thoroughly enjoy, and even more so, when by sharing it, it reaches critics of your caliber, directness and objectivity. Not having thanked you enough for your encouraging words, I now turn to this most striking photograph. IMHO the tonality you chose is so powerful that the subject plays a double role: it becomes so vividly relevant, and yet, the blurriness and sepias enhance everything else. And the hand.....oh, so "gripping", the detail and texture. The depth of this image is really astounding. Decomposing such a shocking (in the most positive sense) image is tantamount to destroying its visual impact. I think I have said already too much, and only because of excitement. I should have stopped at "gripping" and savor the time to just let this "complex, long story" gradually sink in. Humbly, I have nothing else to say but congratulate you wholeheartedly. Best regards and best wishes for the Holidays and the New Year.

DG

Hello Gail:

This is so different from most of your work, where you show the beauty of Nature in a very delicate and artistic fashion, with flower neatly composed, lighting delightful and carefully placed. This image, magnificent as all of your work, I find "at the other extreme of the tunnel". It is powerful, captivating, raw, and in a very positive way, a turbulence-producing reaction in juxtaposition to your usual more subtle approach. Technically, I find it extraordinary...the sepia....the fading....the blur....the overexposure. All are so very cleverly and adroitly chosen. As I write this comment, I cannot help but look up and see the exposed abdomen of this captive amphibian, the texture on its hind legs, the raw skin on the hand, the impressive and most powerful nail. Uf! Just a bit too strong, like a good cask Whiskey, with higher octane. Congratulations.

DG

I am so sorry I did not see your December critique on this photo........and now you have come back and written another - that tells me that you were really moved by this image and your words truly leave me with  - 'no words', as I am humbled and 'speechless'.  I have printed them out so that I can put them in my Journal......my sincere thanks and appreciation for your 'gift' of words.............truly made my day because not many 'saw' what you 'saw' - I know it is not for 'everyone' - but I just had to post it.

Kindest regards always, Gail