Jonathan Brady - I thank you for your very thoughtful comments. Just the fact that you felt so strongly when you viewed the image for the first time demonstrates what a hot issue breastfeeding in our society is right now. It polarizes people. Because of that I wanted to do something to help demonstrate that feeding a child is just that, feeding a child.
As for the one leg issue, I laughed when you asked if anyone would like the image less if Jeannie were a woman with one leg. That's an excellent point. My problem with the one legged effect is not that she appears to have one, but that the glare from the window is a bit too much; and I think I could do a better job of removing the reflection of her legs than I did. ;/
I love you suggestions for an outside shoot using the same pose. Jeannie however would not have agreed to that one. I wanted a chaise lounge in front of beautiful french doors leading to a garden in bloom. That she'd have loved! I just didn't have it available. I'm do a bohemian pregnancy shoot tonight. Maybe when her little one gets older I can do the outside shoot you suggested. Or perhaps I'll find another mom out there who will want this shot of herself and her child. I'd love to get that shot!
Thank you again for taking your time to comment and educate at the same time. I appreciate it!
gregfixit, Johnathan Brady, Carolyn and Birdie - Many thanks for the kind words. Carolyn, it brought me right back as well. I'm glad that things are shifting toward what I think is a better direction where more women are breastfeeding their children and doing it for a longer period of time, and are becoming more comfortable in doing so openly.
As others have said, the Ivette Ivens photo is technically better (leg position, quality of outdoor light, table exposure, hair highlights).
However, the mother and child are much better posed (if you could say that), the moment you captured was more representative of the theme of breastfeeding being a natural thing. The child looks more intune with the breast, and the mother looks resolute yet relaxed about the position she is in.
kaithecat - thank you! That's exactly how I feel about the end product. I am happy with it for where I am at in this place and time, but I have lots to learn.
I gotta say, ivens photo is great for a few reasons
much younger baby
baby has a delightful look, seems to really enjoy what he/she is doing
upward angle kinda works well
jeanies baby is way too big, doesnt even look like he's enjoying the milktime but just there because he's forced to. Ivens baby has the upper hand on the breast, think that sells it better as more affectionate.
I'm thrilled that this image won featured thread of the week, and also thrilled
(let me feel grand about myself ) I was the first to vote for it!
I think this Fred Miranda deal is just great, where else could we see such a
wide variety of images.
I tune in every day, hoping to see such work as you've done here, Diane.
Congrats on the win!
Charlie N - Thank you for your comments. I'm not sure I understand why a much younger baby is a better choice? Auggie (the baby) had just turned 1 year old when I took this shot. Surely a one year old isn't too old to breast feed? His mom,
Jeannie, is a tiny little thing...not even 5 feet tall. Ivens' mom is a tall woman, so naturally their proportions are different, and that mom's child has much less hair. Auggie has had a head of hair since day one.
The point of taking this image is to show that breastfeeding a child is just that, feeding a child. Every time a child is given a cup of milk or a plate of carrots he or she doesn't always respond with joy. It's just time to eat...nothing more, and nothing less.
Just a bit of the back story of this shot - Jeannie had come to get this shot and a couple three generation shots. We went to this shot first as Auggie was hungry. My lighting wasn't quiet right and by the time it was adjusted, I had missed my 5 minute window. So we moved onto the three generation pics and visited for a while. Auggie again became hungry so Jeannie hopped up on the table and I snapped three shots. This shot was the last one, and Auggie had finished his snack and ready for playtime.
Big Appa - Thank you so much, Ed, for voting for me first and for noting that you'd be doing so in your first comment!
fredmiranda.com is indeed a great resource and I am very grateful to be on it and learning from so many talented people!
Also, thank you to every one else who also voted for this thread!!!
Diane
You raise up a point that the mom and child doesn't necessarily appear that connected. I think our desire to see that physical warmth shared between people who have a lot of bare skin is starting to get to the point of this shot. Breast feeding is simply that...it is feeding your child. If Auggie were sitting in his high chair and Jeannie was feeding him with a spoon I don't think any of us would feel like she had to have him in an embrace; yet it makes us a bit uncomfortable that Jeannie isn't somehow cuddling Auggie in this shot. ...Show more →
Sorry if I was not clear, it is not that they are not connected, it is that I think further connection would show a stronger bond. Whether breast feeding or two grown adults sharing a moment such as in an engagement session or wedding, added physical connection when possible provides a greater display of the bond between two subjects.
Also, I'm not uncomfortable with the shot or lack of cuddling, only that there could be a greater bond if further connection was introduced. You say that the skin on skin is enough, but does that necessarily mean that further touch is bad in some way?
Her body looks uncomfortable to me because she is holding herself up instead of leaning back in a pose that would be more natural. Perhaps as a performance piece if you are attempting to introduce some discomfort of the subject that is successful, but I think if the mother was leaning against something such that she was not seemingly straining to maintain an unnatural posture and if the hand was connected in a more natural way the image would be closer to a natural moment. If the goal is be inherently un-natural then that would be different, however breastfeeding to me is a natural thing so when the subjects look uncomfortable or unnatural in their pose that takes a way a bit for me personally.
stevez32 - I believe I misunderstood your first comment regarding additional touch. I apologize.
You say that the skin on skin is enough, but does that necessarily mean that further touch is bad in some way?
Not at all. I get your point. It would better demonstrate the special bond between mother and child. And the mom appears uncomfortable or unnatural holding herself up. A tree or chaise lounge sort of situation may have been better.
To tell the truth, I don't think I put enough thought into shooting this image and making it mine. I was more focused on replicating Ivette Ivens shot, which my client and I both found inspiring.
At this point I am wondering it I had added these warmer touches to my image, would it have stirred as much emotion in the viewers as this pose did? Does the pose need to be irritating to the viewer in some way, in order to stir emotion?
Because of all the feedback here on this forum I have gained much insight and I am certain that my next shoot will be better than my last.
I realize that our time is our most precious gift that we can give to someone. So thank you for taking the time to respond to my post twice. And thank you again to everyone who has taken their precious time to help me grow!
Diane
) I was the first to vote for it!