Steady Hand
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Howdy Folks!
This photo post is titled "Impressions 131..." as it is the 131st in a series of photos I have posted here as a series intended to stimulate attention to the "impression" an expression (facial or body) makes on the viewer. As I have posted about 131 images in this series so far, and may post more in the future, you can easily find them by searching for the word "Impressions" in the title. Most of my earlier posts in this series will be in the FM archives of 2009 or 2010.
The above photo is posted in a truly friendly manner and with a friendly intent (to help this forum by posting photos that others can view for pleasure or learning). I am not trying to sell anyone here anything! I like this forum and I have 15,000 posted comments here. From time to time I just drop by to say "howdy." I hope all the friendly folks I know here are doing well, and for the newbies (I have not yet met) I hope you are enjoying your time on this forum.
As this is a global forum on the net, some people may not understand my use of the word "howdy." "Howdy" is simply a very friendly way of saying "hello" in the American West (Texas, Oklahoma, etc.). It is something I picked up doing back in the 1980s when I first moved to Texas, and it is a genuine greeting from me. It is usually given with a big smile and often the return greeting is another "howdy" from the recipient. It is common in Texas, but not limited to Texas.
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WHY I POST A PHOTO HERE
I am NOT trying to sell anything to anyone on this forum.
I post to share what I enjoy and to help others whenever I can. I truly hope that my work and participation here encourages others to better enjoy this fascinating activity we call photography. It is one of my passions.
What I most enjoy about sharing photos is learning what people see and sense in the facial expressions shown in the photos or in the moment captured in the image. I call these "Impressions" and I always enjoy hearing what others "sense" of the person (the subject of the photo) based upon what they see in the portrait (and the expressions or moment shown). So, if you would like to comment on this photo, I invite you to tell me what you see or sense of the person in the photo. Simply put, tell me:
"What is your impression of the person shown in the photo?"
If you find something interesting in the subject's expression, let me know. I enjoy sharing those comments with my subjects too, and they often get tickled that someone (a stranger) likes their portrait or sees something of their character or personality. So it can be fun for everyone.
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THE SUBJECT(S)
The subject shown in this photo is a seven year old girl I met while traveling in Nebraska. She is the daughter of one of my hosts. She is very bright, fun, and like any child that age, full of energy.
This photo reminds me of the fun I used to have, as a child, swinging as high as I could.
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PHOTO TECHNIQUE and GEAR USED
My Suggestion: If you are going to photograph a child on a swing, try to make sure your photo shows them swinging and having fun, as "the swing is the thing." 
I enjoy seeing expressive portraits like this, so it illustrates one of my preferences for a type of portrait I like to make for my clients.
The photo was made using minimal equipment; just a camera and a lens, natural sunlight (my favorite) and nothing else. My favorite and most often used lens is a 50mm f1.4, but that is not the only lens I use. Photographed using minimal equipment.
In general I like to encourage other photographers to use ambient and natural light and minimal equipment. I think too many photographers get distracted and "focused" on their gear rather than their subjects. I prefer to keep it simple and natural.
This low resolution jpg file has been saved several times (even for posting here), so you might see some artifacts from that. The original file is very clean and made very high quality prints.
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PRESENTATION AND FINISH (Why I choose to display a toned image or not.)
I started my professional photography career years ago specializing in Black & White photography (portraits usually). While I do enjoy the classic look of B&W photos, my favorite finish (look) is my Golden Toned images (and it is a personal hue/tint I mixed up myself from scratch). This is my choice and how I display or present about 99% of my work, but not all.
However, for this forum and this series, I am going to post a few photos that illustrate other aspects, so you might see some B&W, some toned, and some in full color.
For years I made photos in a more traditional "Black & White" style, with many variations in small details (paper, contrast, filtering light, etc.). While I enjoy B&W photos, and will make them on occasion, it is NOT my preference now. I prefer my golden hued (toned) images and that is what I make for myself and to represent my work (in general). So, if you don't like it, that is OK with me. I make them because I make my photos to suit my personal taste and style choice, not those of other photographers.
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WATERMARKS (Why I choose to display an image with multiple watermarks.)
I only post photos online that have multiple watermarks on them. This is my choice, as a professional, for how I display my work online. This was prompted by finding many of my images being used by others on their websites without my permission and after they had cropped off my small signature/logo/watermark that I always put in the corner of an image. So, this is my choice as a professional. If you don't like that, you are free to post your photos as you want. You have that freedom; but my photos are not free. I can see through watermarks to see the content behind them, so it does not bother me if you (or anyone) puts watermarks on their photos too.
I am NOT trying to sell anything to anyone on this forum.
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SAY HOWDY BACK!
I always enjoy meeting friendly folks and friendly photographers too. I have met FM members before and enjoy putting a face to a name. As I see it, the world is a big place and we can all have a different view of it. I have found it interesting (and some fun) to see how two different photographers at the same place/event can see the same action or things differently and make different images of the same subject. So, I don't see us as "competitors" but rather as people sharing a moment or a passion for capturing moments.
You folks have a nice day!
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