FLYING HIGH

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Dave, What a delightful shot! The light and color and composition (particularly the way the intersecting diagonals work to add a deeper sense of the space through which the girl is moving), are all very fine. But I didn't even think about those technical issues when I first saw this image. I just thought, man, this is good. Warm regards, Joe

For me, this image is full of energy....I like the fact that (while being frozen,)the movement seems to continue... the leg/bodyposition helps but the shadow (and diagonal composition) also contribute to the overall impression....nicely done...I know that family or child photography is often poorly received here and elsewhere, but I always keep in mind that this is the main subject & drive for 99% of the photographs ever taken on this planet...so nice image in that category always interest me....

Dave, pleasantly surprised and glad that sometimes you shoot people, too :-) I like the angle of this shot and all the composition . The child you captured in motion, looks like going to take off then flying, with all the concentration towards the bottom of my screen. I am ready to prevent a pending accident. Now she is suspended in that magic moment. I am still trying to figure how you've done it. The hair is wild but all the colours matching . The only thing I wonder what will happen if you cropped it slightly tighter, not the hair . :-) I love this image as it is and I think this is a classic, to rival with the best of them. Top marks from Mario .

 

I thought of you when I posted this one. You've done a few with your daughter in them (all much better than this), and it kind of reminded me of something you might do. For the longest time, I held back on family photos thinking that I would only post images that I felt fell into a "fine art" type of category. I've since decided that there is not reason to limit myself. After all, nobody is being forced to look at my stuff.

My man from Oz, I thought about a bit tighter crop, and I can see doing it. I left what I left because I thought the red curbing lent a certain visual appeal. Perhaps it should go. Not much can be taken from the bottom or sides, as we need the hop scotch lines IMO. Another disappointment is that I could not get the hop scotch yellow lines to be brighter and more contrasting. Oh well, I was having a great time combining two of my favorite things. Taking pics and playing with the granddaughter. Take care amigo.

As always, I'm indebted to you for your kind comments. I'm no Joe Popper when it comes to capturing portraits, but I was having a good old time, and who can argue with that?

Well to be frank I have no impression my family shoots are better in any way....just different...you see I really liked your comment and reaction...some people discard family photo or look at them condescently saying it's not art...well having a really weak art culture myself I usually rely on other's well respected judgement on what is and what is not art...In fact I don't even care, I just see and say what I like and what not...pure feeling....and I like this image....:-)...

 

As for cropping...I think most outdoor image need air to breathe , so crop with caution because you might concentrate for immediate digestion but you'd supress air for the rest of the image life....:-)...and I'd say we and images need more air than concentration...more than often...just my 2 cents...

Interesting . . . first thing I notice is the similar color palette to your first post-hiatus submission. The cool blues offset by the warmth of the sun, the red accent. It has a very similar simple and thoughtful feel to me. I also like the composition as is. I like the strong afternoon shadows, especially from her legs and how they play against the hopscotch design. With all the lines, including the red curb in the back, there's a tender graphic quality to be found here.

 

Your main subject is beautifully lit and captured at the right moment in the right way. I don't think of this as a child or family photo. It is an image that goes beyond itself and its subject and content.

 

One thing I've been conscious of, being the tall guy I am, is kneeling (as long as my knees can still make it!) more. I often find the "adult" angle when shooting kids to create a kind of distance that I wish were not there. When kneeling, the camera becomes more the child's friend and less the onlooker. Especially as she is intent on what she's doing and looking downward, from a lower angle a little more expression would come through which could be a nice addition to an already wonderful photo.

Thanks for the thoughts. As far as kneeling goes, you are absolutely right, but she was playing a game with grandpa and the game was to not let gramps take her picture. I was running after her and she kept running away. She thought it was great fun. So this was just a now or never. Of course other times she is way more cooperative and begs me to take her picture, so it would be possible to do it some other time. I was just playing around, as was she.

 

A rather unexpected family health issue has arisen, and it will be necessary for me to hightail it to the Midwest. I'm leaving in the morning and will be out of touch a few days, but will have Internet when I reach my destination. So, a bit more of a hiatus I fear. My regards.

Dave, I had to come back and make amends, regarding cropping remark, already gave myself 5 lashes :-) The picture looked to me deceptively easy to digest at first and cropping seemed an option . As hard as I tried could not do it for a better photo. The curve is perfect there, so is the extra space, gives that spatial positioning I found perfect in the first place. Mea maxima culpa. Sorry to doubt your better judgment. It's perfect as it is. The picture is a great work of love for your grand daughter. All the best for you and family. Mario

 

Only five lashes????? You know the penalty for doubting me is much greater than that! LOL. No problem. The way you see it is just as valid as the way I see it. If we all saw things exactly the same, it would be a pretty dull world. Anyway, I'm glad you like it as is. Thank you my man from Oz. It's always such a pleasure to hear from you.

A little girl enjoying her moments in the sun as the encroaching shadows creep up the sidewalk towards her. There's something telling in this shot with it wide expanse of shadowed forground. Skip while you can, my dear, the carefree days of childhood are all too brief. And with those remarks I welcome you back to the conclave.

Thanks. I have to admit I sure appreciate your outlook. Probably because it is much a reflection of my own. I recall some oritental philosopher who said (and I parapharase from memory), "The fruit of wisdom is impregnate with the seed of sorrow." I think you understand this only too well, as I also do. Take care my friend.

 

BTW, for the next week or so I shall be ins Des Moines, Iowa. Quite a different place from your Japan I suspect. But then, again, maybe not.

You have brought me right to my childhood!, as this play was my specialty.... I like it a lot, the light and shadows are soft, and the diagonal cropping is a well chosen angle as well as the graceful moment of her jump. What is missing in her play, is the stone that has to be pushed while passing from square to square ;-)).....Lovely image!

Thank you greatly. Actually this little rascal was deliberately running away from grandpa with his camera, when I got in front of her just as she hit the hopscotch field. I think really all I did is catch her running over the markings, and not playing or even pretending to play.

 

No doubt if you were as good at this game as you are at photography, you must have been world class!

I've come back to this picture several times, and I've liked it each time. The colors, the light, the energy. For me it beautifully expresses the simple joys of childhood. The fact that she is your granddaughter is irrelevant, except of course to you.

Thanks. I really appreciate it. I still have not managed those wonderful straight forward honest portraints you do, but maybe someday I will. In the meantime, I'll just have to be content with this type of rushed candid.

this is in-light-full: the horizontal bands of shade, light, shade; the angle of the light, the dynamic posture of the cute girl and her shadow. Very juicy, indeed. V8 juicy. Cheers, Micheal

I think we are making some progress here. If you will comment on a people picture, maybe it won't be long before you are taking them. Gulp a V8 dude and take some people pics. I'd love to see your take on the foolish species.

that's not going to happen - I taking people pics. Squirrels are sexier anyway. Cheers, Micheal

 

Take a big gulp of V8 and do a self portrait. Come on, man. I know you can do it.

Very effective. This seems to encapsulate everything you do well. An interesting color palette, a touch of nostalgia, a mixing of serious whimsy, and a fantastic composition.

Actually, I don't think I do people pictures very well, but I'm making efforts to improve. It always helps when you are emotionally invested in the subject such as I am in this one.

This is my first visit to your portfolio and I was drawn to this shot...very nice, evokes the feeling of childhood and has wonderful light and composition.

 

Dick