Best Friend's Boy

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Archive 2009 · Best Friend's Boy

Agilehound
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p.1 #1 · Best Friend's Boy

I think somewhere around age 12 children lose the ability to make unconditional friends. The kind of friends that you learn about through osmosis, without any conscious effort to “get to know each other”. It just happens without you thinking about it, like breathing. The ones that never have to call you for help at 2am because, well, you’re right there in trouble with them. Every time. The ones that never really enter your consciousness because they’re part of who you are.

Maybe guys don’t understand this. Seems to me that men run in a fluctuating herd, for the most part. Whoever wants to do what you’re doing now is who you hang with. Girls are often different though; the concept of “best friend” holds a lot of strength. And a lot of power over them. Therein, of course, lies the double-edged sword. I can’t decide if I hope my daughter grows up with a best friend or not. I have 2. I love them in a way that’s almost fierce.

R’s mom was nice but . . . forgetful. As in – forget to pick up her kids forgetful. B’s parent’s like to drink (I'm in my 30's and still terrified of her father). And my mom (a single parent) was very sick for years - wouldn’t get out of bed for weeks at a time. So I think we found each other at a time in our lives when we each needed something. Although, strangely enough – we never talked feelings. Ever. It was just enough to have someone else there. It was something of a shock to me when they started talking feelings. lol

This is one of my best friend’s little boys. When I look in his eyes, I see his grandpa. I see his uncle in how he moves, I see his mom in his smile. I think he’s beautiful. I'm bursting to share these, although I have a bunch more on the card I'll probably add to to this thread.

He kept digging his toes into the grass; he was finally sitting still I couldn't bring myself to harp on him about his toes. Although from a photography standpoint I wish he wouldn't.

1/160, f/2.8, 140-200mm, ISO 100
More with some smiles coming soon, if these generate any interest.

Edited on Oct 19, 2009 at 03:40 PM · View previous versions

Oct 19, 2009 at 02:57 PM

Agilehound
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p.1 #2 · Best Friend's Boy

p.s.
Scratch on cheek intentionally left as that is not just very who he is, but who his whole family is.

Oct 19, 2009 at 02:58 PM

Steady Hand
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p.1 #3 · Best Friend's Boy

Hi,

The images are too large (tall) for me to see easily. I only see 1/2 of the image.

I am on the "net standard" of 19" monitor with 1024x768 res.

My Simple Suggestion: Post smaller images to make it easier for others around the world to see the entire image on a typical browser window on a typical smaller monitor (19" being the most common...as of yet).

Also,

Cute kid.

Good garments.

Nice prop.

Good color.

Nice portrait. My Fav = #1

Oct 19, 2009 at 03:24 PM

Agilehound
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p.1 #4 · Best Friend's Boy

OK, I'll make 'em smaller - I only made them bigger 'cause last time someone mentioned they'd like to see bigger.

Flickr doesn't seem to have a good medium-large.

Back in a sec . . .

Oct 19, 2009 at 03:37 PM

Pfiltz
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p.1 #5 · Best Friend's Boy

Kewl

Oct 19, 2009 at 03:38 PM

ESC in KC
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p.1 #6 · Best Friend's Boy

#3 lets us take a nice look into his eyes - I really like that one. One of those captures that leaves you feeling like you are glimpsing at someone's future personality if that makes sense... I really like images of kids where their gaze seems to transcend their age.

Great use of natural light on these as well.

Oct 19, 2009 at 03:51 PM

Agilehound
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p.1 #7 · Best Friend's Boy

Thanks guys! ESC, I like those soulful looks one sometimes gets from toddlers too . . . although his mom just wants to see a smile.

That's OK though, I got plenty of those too, I just like these a titch better - shooting for me as much as her!

Oct 19, 2009 at 04:33 PM

robert hasty
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p.1 #8 · Best Friend's Boy

#3 minus the red mark on his face, great image!

Oct 19, 2009 at 05:07 PM

Agilehound
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p.1 #9 · Best Friend's Boy

Thanks Robert! I debated about cloning the scratch out - in general if it's a temporary blemish I remove it - but it said "rough and tumble boy" to me (which he most definitely is, hence the scratch), so I left it. I'll try some without the scratch and see if I like it that way too.

Oct 19, 2009 at 06:59 PM

T-bone1
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p.1 #10 · Best Friend's Boy

I really like these a lot. In my opinion, they strike a perfect balance between old school and the new trend of desaturation with limited depth of field. They have a very warm, yet modern and real feel to them.
-Tim

Oct 19, 2009 at 10:05 PM

pixelwarp
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p.1 #11 · Best Friend's Boy

As usual, love'em.

Oct 20, 2009 at 12:03 AM

Karen S
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p.1 #12 · Best Friend's Boy

Your photos are always beautiful and these are no exception.

I would leave the scratch too. It works in these images.

Oct 20, 2009 at 01:56 AM

timhpark
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p.1 #13 · Best Friend's Boy

really great stuff.......as is expected! love the way he "pops" from the background!

tim

Oct 20, 2009 at 02:24 AM

Agilehound
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p.1 #14 · Best Friend's Boy

T-bone, your comments especially totally made my day - that's exactly what I'm hoping to achieve; a classic feel with a touch of modern.

Thank you so much for taking the time to comment! I took the scratch out in a couple and I left the scratch in a couple. I'm all about the compromise.

Oct 20, 2009 at 02:34 AM

geofan
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p.1 #15 · Best Friend's Boy

Another excellent series! Great colors that really pop, your trademark.

What's the deal with the bare feet? Seems a bit odd as the rest of his outfit looks like it's cold weather time.

Oct 20, 2009 at 03:53 AM

Agilehound
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p.1 #16 · Best Friend's Boy

Thanks geofan! All she had was white tennies for him; it kinda ruined the whole effect so we opted for barefoot. It was in the 50's but the sun was warm. He's a hotblooded little guy (doesn't get cold easily) and eager to get naked as all proper 2yr olds are.

Oct 20, 2009 at 03:59 AM

alfonse
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p.1 #17 · Best Friend's Boy

These are very nice. My favorite is the last one, him taking a bite of the apple, but they're all good. I bet the smile ones are great too.

Oct 20, 2009 at 03:27 PM

ladytx
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p.1 #18 · Best Friend's Boy

I have admired your photos for some time now. As many have already said they are "luscious".

I enjoy your stories and background that go with the photos. I do not possess any journaling ability. I certainly hope you are printing and journaling your days in book form for your family and others to enjoy for years to come. Your perspective and words warm the heart.

I love the rich colors, saturated but not bright. Love the tones. A beautiful "deepness" to them. Would you share your workflow to achieve this look?

The images are sharp but yet creamy and the skintone is rather white. Does this come from your workflow, camera, lens?? Would you share with me what gives your photos these wonderful qualities?

Oct 20, 2009 at 03:44 PM

Agilehound
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p.1 #19 · Best Friend's Boy

Thanks guys! I had a lot of fun with this session, her boys are just plain stunning. My 3yr old thinks so too - she's deeply in love with this one's older brother. I was going to post a few more here but I can't get flickr to come up right now, maybe later.

I should probably do a little less babbling on internet boards and a little more family journaling. But strangely enough when I sit down to write "for prosterity" it's all stilted and flat. So I dunno. Maybe I'll figure out a way to do it better.

These were shot RAW/neutral to avoid the camera applying any saturation, then had a slight curves adjustment, a bit of saturation (+7ish if I remember correctly; the blue in his sweater blew easily so I didn't add much to these), and a multiply vignette added. It's all about the light . . . the workflow doesn't work if the light / exposure isn't right. These were intentionally shot with "garage light" - where one positions their subject in full shade, near the edge of the light. These were shot with natural light, a 5d, and a 70-200. The lens is a bit of overkill but I don't like being right in my subject's face & the 50mm makes me feel like I'm looming over the poor kid. My new 85mm f/1.8 should deliver today, I'm hopeful that will be a lighter weight lens I can get similar results with this winter when there's not enough light for f/2.8. I've seen others totally rock that lens, we'll see what I can do with it.

Oct 20, 2009 at 04:31 PM

DLGPhotog
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p.1 #20 · Best Friend's Boy

Can I be like you when I grow up?!?

I always look forward to your photos, and these are no exception. I love them!

Oct 20, 2009 at 04:41 PM

SJMD
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p.1 #21 · Best Friend's Boy

Well done, a pleasure to look at these images

Oct 20, 2009 at 05:03 PM

Flossmoor40D
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p.1 #22 · Best Friend's Boy

Fantastic work as always. I love the color, the poses and the framing. FWIW, I like the scratch and the feet digging into the grass as it tells me about who he is. I'd rather see that, than a perfectly posed child, if that does exist?

Oct 20, 2009 at 05:28 PM

alfonse
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p.1 #23 · Best Friend's Boy

"I should probably do a little less babbling on internet boards and a little more family journaling. But strangely enough when I sit down to write "for prosterity" it's all stilted and flat. So I dunno. Maybe I'll figure out a way to do it better."

I would say if you do your "family journaling" the same way you write here, you are doing fantastic, no need "to do it better." Of course, I'm no journalist, but your descriptions are always (at least the ones I remember) very good.

Oct 20, 2009 at 08:11 PM

MarcyJillGood
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p.1 #24 · Best Friend's Boy

Agile - you really, really should be a professional portrait photographer for kids. Your kid stuff is always awesome. This is a beautiful child, and the images are gorgeous. I know that's not a real 'technical' critique, but I come at it from the I've-been-a-mom-perspective. I would love to have images like this in my kids' photo albums. The choice of outfit and setting is great, and the little apple shot is a nice touch. I'd leave the scratch - it's a very real mark of childhood.

As for the type of soul-sister friends you're talking about, I know exactly what you mean. I have a handful from my childhood - but to my surprise (and perhaps it will happen to you, too), I have friends I gained way, way after that who are like sisters to me. We can read each other's minds, we feel each other's pain, finish sentences for each other, have our own little 'code-word' memories. All of it. So you might find yourself continuing to be blessed as time continues.

What a wonderful set - thanks for sharing, and thanks for your thoughful intro discussion, too (another of your trademarks).

Marcy

Oct 20, 2009 at 08:25 PM

ml744
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p.1 #25 · Best Friend's Boy

Agilehound wrote:
OK, I'll make 'em smaller - I only made them bigger 'cause last time someone mentioned they'd like to see bigger.

Flickr doesn't seem to have a good medium-large.

Back in a sec . . .

Heeeey! I wanted them bigger -still do

Anyways, this is a great set -- I shall add, as usual. That being, said....maybe b/c he's not smiling here or maybe b/c of your intro, but although he's really cute, the set gives me a sense of loss or melancholy.

I have a small daugther (Olivia, 20 months) and sometimes I also doubt on whether to clone some scratch, etc or not. I like his in the set if it represents him who he really is.

Best,

Matias

Oct 20, 2009 at 09:24 PM


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