Bobby, Seattle Arboretum (digitally altered)

Comments, ratings appreciated. I don't know about the look--perhaps

defiance.

Robert, this hits the spot! It's great. I can often be a little heavy handed with diffuse glow and you seem to have been so here - but it works, and well. Great expression, nicely dressed, beautifully framed to finish. Excellent.

wonderful high-key!

Biliana

Great shot. The high key face with dark background really brings attention on him. No improvements to suggest (that's a first!)

It's an interesting treatment . . . . I'd burn down that top snap on his coat

Ivan and Biliana, thanks for your nice comments.

 

Warren, while I like the treatment fairly well, I think I've probably taken it past the point I'm comfortable with. If I re-process this, I may lessen the effect.

 

Carl, you're absolutely right about the button. Sometimes I wonder how I can miss such basic things!

 

Thanks again for all of your comments.

There are some appealing qualities to this photo, but the loss of shadow detail in the hair makes the child's head disappear into the background in an unnatural way. I think the ultimate problem here is that everything is too controlled; spontaneity and naturalness have been removed, and the moment has become too rigid.

Yeung-Seu, I can see your point. Of course, this was the effect that I was after. Still, I'm not convinced it's a very good portrait. Thanks for your comment.