Casual snap of a serious 12 year old - C/C welcome as always

[SoonerBJJ]

Okay, then perhaps you should amend this statement taken from your bio at your website:

"I don't think that any photograph should be only an exact reproduction of what's in front of the lens without any more emotion or content than that."

Note to self: when Lew is asking for c&c he is really wanting you to affirm his belief that the image is just fine as it is.

 

[Bitter Jeweler]

Even as OOF as it is.

 

[chuasam]

the focus point seems to be the tip of her nose

 

[The_Traveler]

Okay, then perhaps you should amend this statement taken from your bio at your website:

"I don't think that any photograph should be only an exact reproduction of what's in front of the lens without any more emotion or content than that."

Note to self: when Lew is asking for c&c he is really wanting you to affirm his belief that the image is just fine as it is.

.

Generally I like what I post and, unless someone has an idea for an improvement that I agree with, I ignore comments that are only personal taste.
That kind of passive aggressive statement bolded above is wasted on me; especially when it comes from someone who is 'artistic' and self-justifying like you.

Even as OOF as it is.

Bitter, I am sort of surprised by you.
You have the reputation for being a smart guy but your comment above is just snarky and untrue.

Just ignore me and go on doing what you like to do, as will I.

 

[SoonerBJJ]

This being a photography forum and all, I'll try not to be too offended that I've been labeled as "artistic."

And, apparently pointing out OOF is snarky.

Maybe you should stick with only giving critique because you don't seem to respond well to receiving.

 

[Jaemie]

I rather like the way the awkward elements in this photo (L-eye OOF, R-eye IF; bad haircut; uneven eye makeup; ambiguous wall art; stray shadows) provide a kind of metaphor for the often clumsy awkwardness of adolescence. Whether or not this was accidental is irrelevant; it works for me. As such, I wouldn't change the photo.

Otherwise, I find the phrase, "casual snap," somewhat problematic. I mean, if the shot was taken casually, does it warrant more than casual C&C or any critical comments at all?

I don't think this was a casual snap. I think some thought and deliberation was taken before the shutter was released, and I think that because of the expression on the girl's pretty face. She appears to have have had a moment to collect herself and pose, and you just don't get that in a snap - or at least you don't by my definition of snap. I like this photo a lot. It's revealing, expressive, full of adolescent power and thought, and it holds my attention well. Of course, as a girl, I'm also seeing a lot of myself at that age reflected in this image. Thanks for sharing this.

 

[The_Traveler]

This being a photography forum and all, I'll try not to be too offended that I've been labeled as "artistic."

And, apparently pointing out OOF is snarky.

Maybe you should stick with only giving critique because you don't seem to respond well to receiving.

'artistic' -That was your statement when you were editing the picture of a child in the pool, that you were exercising some 'artistic' judgement.

I sometimes respond to critique that tells me why someone doesn't like it, how a defect hurts the picture and how a change would make it better.
I don't rush to make changes based on someone elses' personal like's/dislikes.

This shot was at 1/40th f3.5 iso 4000 and is what it is.

 

[jake337]

What is so engrossing about the shadow?
Everyone has them.

I just wish the light source was a bit higher for it.

 

[o hey tyler]

Interestingly, people mention 'problems' or things that they don't like but no one says how that harms the picture or why things would be better if they were different.

I like the warm look, it looks as if it was taken indoors by a single light - which it was - and it looks natural to me.
She has a lovely calm, sweet face, lovely complexion - others think she looks bored, perhaps, but this exactly how she looked when I snapped it.
I can't respond to the composition issue, it is a 4x5 head and shoulders shot of a sweet looking girl, caught with a great deal of fidelity to her look and coloration at the time.​

IMO, the reason I mentioned the warm white balance because it appears to be clipping/posterizing her skin tones on the right side of her face. It doesn't appear to be sharp, either. Probably because it was lit with a continuous light and a slower shutter speed was used.

It is indeed exactly how she looked when you snapped the photo. However, that's the thing about photography... Not all images seen as you see them are interesting to other viewers.

 

[The_Traveler]

What is so engrossing about the shadow?
Everyone has them.

I just wish the light source was a bit higher for it.

Yeah, me too.
However the only lamp was this floor-based heavy thing and I couldn't hold it steady with one hand.

IMO, the reason I mentioned the warm white balance because it appears to be clipping/posterizing her skin tones on the right side of her face. It doesn't appear to be sharp, either. Probably because it was lit with a continuous light and a slower shutter speed was used.

It is indeed exactly how she looked when you snapped the photo. However, that's the thing about photography... Not all images seen as you see them are interesting to other viewers.

Absolutely true.
It is sometimes hard to separate where I have internalized my own feelings about a picture and where the picture has captured what I saw for others to see.
I posted it to see if others respond as I did.
If 'uninteresting' is what it is to you and others - then I know.

Thanks for the comment.

Lew

 

[SoCalTiger]

#1 - I also find the hard shadow across her face distracting. It if were diffused, it would look better.
#2 - I don't think anyone mentioned this but I think the picture is cropped too tightly, just barely cutting off the top of her head. If you were just ever so slightly further back it would have been fine.

 

[The_Traveler]

#1 - I also find the hard shadow across her face distracting. It if were diffused, it would look better.
#2 - I don't think anyone mentioned this but I think the picture is cropped too tightly, just barely cutting off the top of her head. If you were just ever so slightly further back it would have been fine.

Thanks, yes.
You are right, I think
The one I printed was slightly smaller in the frame and her head cleared the mat.

 

[pgriz]

This is interesting. One of my issues is that images of my creation that I find pleasing or intriuing, often leave others lukewarm. I find it much easier to look at someone else's image and be able to critique it. When I try to apply the same process to my own... somehow, it doesn't work, or doesn't work well. I've also had images that I thought were OK, send people into paroxyms of praise. From that, I have to conclude that either my sense of what is good is seriously skewed, or I'm incapable of being even remotely objective when it comes to my own work.

My first reaction looking at the image of the girl, was.. "nice snap". What made it a snap to my eye was the centered position of the head, the direct look, the apparently casual position of the light casting the horizontal nose shadow, the OOF wall hanging, the hair, and the rather casual arrangement of the clothes. As a person, she does come across as a serious adolescent, although it is not clear whether that is her "default" look, or one she assumed for the photo. I've seen that look many times on my daughters' faces, and usually it meant that I've been going on too long on something, and it's time to change the channel. If the message is not received as intended, the escalation is to eye-rolling and significant sighing. But I digress. I'm sure that she has a beautiful smile when she chooses to do so.


So looking at the image and then the reaction from various people and Lew's reaction, I am wondering whether the same issue as I have applies here?

 

[The_Traveler]

that either my sense of what is good is seriously skewed, or I'm incapable of being even remotely objective when it comes to my own work.

I think there is a third alternative, that one is/cannot always be objective about pictures of people, especially, that you feel very strongly about. This is my granddaughter and her affect is exactly as you described.