Summer Idyl (With Balloons)** *

A recent summer Sunday found this poppa holdig hands with his two

daughters and escaping the heat with skimpy clothing for all as they

walked down a hill, avoiding the stuffy streetcar/tram which raced

ahead of them in the wooded pathway/tramway. Your ratings and

critiques are invited and are most welcome. If you rate harshly or

very critically, please submit a helpful and constructive

comment/Please share your superior knowledge to help improve my

photography. Thanks! Enjoy! John

This is an evening shot, at full aperture (f 4 for the combination 70~200 lens and 1.4 power tele-extender, resulting in some subject movement/blur.

In reality, this is NOT as the scene appeared to the photographer; it appeared almost dark entirely. The exposure is a triumph of the camera/sensor/lens combination, which 'rescued' what for most would have been a 'lost' shot.

Focus is on the girl, right, with the balloon. Do NOT mistake this for a photo taken at noon with full sun overhead. This was the last possible photo that one could take that day without a flash, and at GREAT distance -- this is at 200 mm on the lens with a 1.5 x crop factor plus a 1.4 x tele-extender, so the true effective film millimeter setting would be the product of the following 200 x 1.5 x 1.4 = X where X = film millimeter equivalent. You can solve the equation yourself, and the shutter speed was between 1/10th to 1/20th of a second, if you can imagine that, hand held.

John (Crosley)

I like this photo, even though the rates were very low, probably for technical reasons.

The viewer count, after two days, also shows it is reasonably popular and 'clickable' -- something I expected. After all, it is an appealing photo, and I expect that over time it will outrank other photos with similar or higher rates for 'clickability' and 'views'.

That's why I don't remove most low-rated photos from my portfolio. I post 'em because they appeal to me, not because I want to only post those that will get me a high score or ratings.

John (Crosley)

What i like about this photo is the very good atmosphere. 2 children with their father having a peaceful time together. (as it appears)

I also like the colors. Thanks for sharing,Greetings Ellen.

Your 6/6 has ruined my superlow rates.

You have to be more considerate.

I was trying for a record.

Still, as of this morning Sept. 8, '06, this image has more than 7,500 views, despite some of the lowest rates ever. I wrote above that it was 'clickable' and I think, as I wrote above, 'the views will out'.

Nice to have you stop by with your 'impeccable taste'.

;-))

John (Crosley)