feed the babies | world breastfeeding week

[mmaria]

Like many things, the validity or stupidity is a matter of personal preference and belief, based in large part on what is deemed "appropriate" in the area in which a person lives. Europe is generally far more accepting of such things than is North America, 'though attitudes are changing.

Are you saying that Europe rocks! yes you are...

 

[robbins.photo]

Okay folks. This is the one and only warning for this thread. There will be no discussion of the "politics" relating to the topic, or how you feel about it one way or the other. There are other forums for that I'm sure. Keep comments confined to the images please and thanyouverymuch!

Wow.. Rantus Pre-emptus.

Lol

 

[tirediron]

Okay folks. This is the one and only warning for this thread. There will be no discussion of the "politics" relating to the topic, or how you feel about it one way or the other. There are other forums for that I'm sure. Keep comments confined to the images please and thanyouverymuch!

Wow.. Rantus Pre-emptus.

Lol

If only I'd thought to do robbinus pre-emptus too!

 

[vintagesnaps]

I think John was just trying to prevent a derailment...

With my background being in education working with babies and toddlers I know that the connection moms and babies can make while nursing or feeding etc. can be significant in how they develop later interactions with others. It helps the baby (even when bottle fed) to have the eye contact, the feel and even the scent of mom - to the point that NICUs would sometimes give a mom a pad to wear for a time then bring back to the hospital to be put in the isolette for the baby to experience the mother's scent.

I think taking photos it's a matter of how that experience could best be portrayed in a way that will meet the comfort levels of a lot of different people who may view the photos. Emphasizing the entire experience, which for me would probably include seeing babies' and moms' faces and expressions, could work in portraying the subject (what may be natural or comfortable for some people may not be for everyone).

To me some of the B&W look various shades of gray, they might be better adjusted for more black or white. In the first one I can't make out the mom's head (even though I know that is what the dark shape is); there's one in a later set that has part of a chair and cart near mom's head, the edges of puzzles? the edge of a mat in front of the door etc. - those seem to make for distractions more than part of the scene.

If you look at it as shapes and patterns there are some shapes in different tones/shades that you can see are part of something, but I think it works better to either have it completely in the picture or keep it out of the frame. In the smaller set there's one that shows just a mom's arm and a baby's leg and a diaper which seems in too close and makes it hard to really see what the picture is about. In some the moms' hair has strands going different directions and the clothing has designs and/or creases in clothing etc. that can create patterns that can make for distractions.

I think in some the perspective is too directly overhead; when you're holding a baby you would be looking from one side or the other since the baby's usually in one arm or the other. Shooting from a different angle you might make for a better perspective for the viewer.

 

[robbins.photo]

Okay folks. This is the one and only warning for this thread. There will be no discussion of the "politics" relating to the topic, or how you feel about it one way or the other. There are other forums for that I'm sure. Keep comments confined to the images please and thanyouverymuch!

Wow.. Rantus Pre-emptus.

Lol

If only I'd thought to do robbinus pre-emptus too!

Sadly however that was a feature that was never implemented. It was planned for robbins version 2.0 but never made it into the final version.. trust me, I know.. lol

 

[robbins.photo]

I think John was just trying to prevent a derailment...

Oh, most certainly.. but I'm actually required to yank his chain at least once a week. It's in my contract.. lol

 

[JacaRanda]

Paige, looks like you took it down or just made it smaller but the one with the mom looking down at the baby on the left breast is classic and I think would make any normal human smile.

That shot is just a feel good shot. Her smiling down, the baby smiling up, the boy playing by the stroller....really great stuff.

As Runnah said, definitely the best ones are where you can see the faces of both mom and the baby.

 

[paigew]

...

I think taking photos it's a matter of how that experience could best be portrayed in a way that will meet the comfort levels of a lot of different people who may view the photos. Emphasizing the entire experience, which for me would probably include seeing babies' and moms' faces and expressions, could work in portraying the subject (what may be natural or comfortable for some people may not be for everyone).

To me some of the B&W look various shades of gray, they might be better adjusted for more black or white. In the first one I can't make out the mom's head (even though I know that is what the dark shape is); there's one in a later set that has part of a chair and cart near mom's head, the edges of puzzles? the edge of a mat in front of the door etc. - those seem to make for distractions more than part of the scene.

If you look at it as shapes and patterns there are some shapes in different tones/shades that you can see are part of something, but I think it works better to either have it completely in the picture or keep it out of the frame. In the smaller set there's one that shows just a mom's arm and a baby's leg and a diaper which seems in too close and makes it hard to really see what the picture is about. In some the moms' hair has strands going different directions and the clothing has designs and/or creases in clothing etc. that can create patterns that can make for distractions.

I think in some the perspective is too directly overhead; when you're holding a baby you would be looking from one side or the other since the baby's usually in one arm or the other. Shooting from a different angle you might make for a better perspective for the viewer.

Thank you for taking the time to write all of that out. I am always happy to hear opinions of my work. But it is critiques like this, that are the reason I am hesitant and I do not post more of my work. I chose the first few images because I thought they were my 'strongest' (technically + artistically) images. And would be most widely accepted (here). People wanted to see more, so I gladly obliged and of course they are got picked apart...as I knew they would.

I really hate posting images and then "defending" them. Mainly because I feel work should speak for itself. I know some don't like my editing and/or shooting style, I'm ok with that. Everything I do is purposeful. If I wanted moms face brighter I certainly know how to achieve that look. If I want more black or white...in my b/w I can do that. These photos are supposed to be "as is". Some were taken at a playground with random kids running up and all around. Some were taken in a (very small) ice cream parlor. And although I did move many distractions, I couldn't move everything (even though the OCD in me was cringing) As it is a place of business.

As for shooting angle, I try to shoot nursing photos very discretely. If I shoot from the other side (so you can see mom and baby) , you will see a lot of boob. I would rather not focus on the boob, and instead focus on the art/act of nursing. In addition to body position you have to think about what mom is wearing. The twin mama had a shirt that lifted up, completely exposing her stomach so I had to position myself accordingly.

When I am doing these types of "documentary" photos I do not pay attention to the clothing creases. The toddler posted above nursed a combined time of 3 minutes. If I would have gone in to adjust moms clothes, he surely would have latched off. And anyway, this is real life. We don't have people fixing our clothes and hair. This isn't a "portrait".

I personally love the overhead angle. It is one of my favorites I do at every newborn shoot

 

[pgriz]

Paige, I really like the images. You're showing a normal, natural, nurturing activity of a mother to her child(ren), and it never hurts to remind society of that fact. The images come across as spontaneous and intimate. Well done.

 

[FITBMX]

Wonderful photos, I really like all of them! Great work!!!

 

[gsgary]

Hey thanks!

Some people say they don't want their husbands seeing our breasts. Some say it isn't appropriate for their children to see. Some say its gross. There are a lot of "reasons" people give.

Thats crazy, its one of the most natural things in the world

 

[TamiAz]

Paige, nice photographs!

.. but I have to say, I've never understood why is breastfeeding such a flammable theme for you in USA?

I don't know why it is either and it really bothers me.. It such a natural act. I breastfed both my kids and I love when I see women breastfeeding in public.

 

[snerd]

The outrage at breastfeeding is nothing more than the viewer's inability to control their own thoughts. So to keep from having to exercise a little self-control, they say put that away!! Sad.

 

[mmaria]

It such a natural act. I breastfed both my kids and I love when I see women breastfeeding in public.

well, I can't exactly say that I "love" to see women breastfeeding in public, but I sure don't mind... I'll smile because it's a completely natural thing to do and that's it.

I don't understand all "sensation" that has been made of the breastfeeding when are others involved. It's a beautiful, natural act between the mother and her baby and if you mind, just turn your head on the other side. I don't care.

 

[slackercruster]

I wish I could find a local breastfeeding mom. I need one to finish one of my books. The book is done except for the breastfeeder. Maybe someday I will get one.