Comments by Steven M. Anthony on Sat, 05/31/08 12:45
I think Axel probably means Why this particular background. The way the image is framed, it makes for a very awkward background--there is no balance, one's eyes go immediately out the windows making your primary subjects secondary subjects.
Also, I don't think you've caught little brother's best side. And you've left him an amputee.
I understand the concept of environmental portraiture. But my understanding of it includes the notion that the person is still the primary focus of the image. And the sense of place you should be striving for is one of an interesting environment. The one you chose here seems meaningless in that it draws so much attention AWAY from the boys.
Comments by Cheryl on Sat, 05/31/08 15:32
Steven, the one I chose here was the only one available. This was where they were hanging
out, and you can clearly see that I couldn't shoot from the other side. ;) This isn't a staged
shot that can be moved and recreated in a "better" place. You either take it as is, or you
don't get it at all.
It doesn't worry me when others don't see images the way I do. In this shot, the moment and
the relationship are strong enough for me to see the beauty in the image.
Comments by Steven M. Anthony on Sat, 05/31/08 15:53
"You either take it as is, or you don't get it at all."
And sometimes even when you get it, you really don't get it at all...
And why couldn't you have taken the photograph through the window? Or with your back against the background wall. There are several more interesting ways this scene could have been shot.
Comments by Cheryl on Sat, 05/31/08 16:11
Steven, the boys were sitting in a small window seat with a wall on either side. If I had
gone outside and shot through the window, I would have the window ledge running in
front of the boys directly down the middle of the shot -- hardly an improvement. And
that would have also meant getting the kitchen scene behind them in the frame, which
you would've complained about too, not to mention glare from shooting through a
window. And the fun of shooting through dirty glass.
Going outside would also have meant the boys were unattended and the baby would likely
have rolled off and hit the floor. (I caught him just a moment later when he did, in fact, roll
off.)
I realize you like to argue, so go ahead. ;) I've got a shoot in an hour and can't stay and
chat.
- CJ
Comments by Steven M. Anthony on Sat, 05/31/08 21:14
Then I guess you just should have enjoyed the scene and left your camera in its bag.
Comments by axeltrading on Sun, 06/01/08 06:11
i understand that cheryl. but i still think this pic would be alot better if you took it against a good background, and not this overexposed one. that saied, you have alot high class pics in your portfolio, so keep it up!
