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?
"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.
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).
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.
Thank you so much for the kind words everyone - it means a lot to me that you take the time to comment.
alfonse, I think my problem with family journaling is I'm always trying to do w/pen & paper to scrapbook. I feel confined without a backspace key so end up writing a sentence or two and ending it. Maybe I need to buy a printer and some archival ink.
Marcy, I'm not a terribly good businesswoman, so I'll leave the biz of photography to those who are good at the whole package. I'm a sucker and would give everything away. Wait. That's what I'm doing right now. OK well then, nevermind . . . lol
As to new friends, maybe I just need to make more of an effort to spend time with them.
I wanted them bigger -still do
lol OK well . . . I'm all about the compromise . . .
(this one he's looking down so I could have really used a reflector but how could you scrap it with that expression?)
And one after the session was all done and we were packing stuff up in the car.
p.s.
I was definitely feeling melancholy when I was PPing these . . . looking at your childhood friend's kid is kind of like getting a glimpse back into her childhood (and therefore you own).
Agile - I know what you mean about just doing this for pleasure - same here. I am nowhere near your level of expertise, but I love learning, and I enjoy trying to capture shots of my friends, their kids, etc. Fortunately, they're all pretty patient with me!
Where did you learn your skills? Classes? How long have you been shooting? Guess these are all way OT questions . . .
Marcy, I kind of muddled along taking snapshots on P mode for a couple years until late 2007 when I discovered the book Understanding Exposure and did about 6 months of a 365 day challenge . . . upgrading my camera to allow a little more flexibility in shooting made a big difference too; mostly because with a higher ISO I could practice natural light more often - days are pretty short in a WI winter so a higher ISO let me practice after work a good 9-10 months out of the year, rather than the 6 I had before.. Things kinda started to click better for me after that . . . I've learned a LOT online too, mostly from ILP (forum dedicated to child portraiture).
I'm taking my first class right now actually, Detra's Light Workshop, but my timing stinks because there's very little bright sun in WI right now!
Marcy, I kind of muddled along taking snapshots on P mode for a couple years until late 2007 when I discovered the book Understanding Exposure and did about 6 months of a 365 day challenge . . . upgrading my camera to allow a little more flexibility in shooting made a big difference too; mostly because with a higher ISO I could practice natural light more often - days are pretty short in a WI winter so a higher ISO let me practice after work a good 9-10 months out of the year, rather than the 6 I had before.. Things kinda started to click better for me after that . . . I've learned a LOT online too, mostly from ILP (forum dedicated to child portraiture).
I'm taking my first class right now actually, Detra's Light Workshop, but my timing stinks because there's very little bright sun in WI right now!...Show more →
Agile - thanks so much for the tip on the book - I have heard of it before, and I need to get it. Exposure is one of my main challenges. My 'other' big issue is disciplining myself to be as steady as possible when hand-holding a shot (I have a tremor, which is worse sometimes than at other times). Also need to learn to use the tripod.
It's so great to see the varying levels of skill on the site, and to realize someone has become so outstanding (as you have) through hard work and many hours of practice. It gives me hope!
Marcy, I should also add that I was lucky enough to get an AWESOME mentor for a good 3-4 months. She gave me assignments that took me right out of my comfort zone, and really helped me define my style. She was the one that turned me onto environmental. Right now I'm "trading tips" with someone on this board whose studio stuff totally rocks. I'm thinking he's getting the poor end of the deal but shhhhh don't tell him.
So yeah, I did my homework but I didn't do it in a vacuum either! I think taking a lot of pics and getting a lot of feedback really helped too. Sometimes stuff I thought sucked really wasn't that bad in the light of day - and vica versa too of course.
You are at least the second great photographer I've heard mention having a mentor. I should look for one. Actually, that might be a great thread . . . (and it would keep me from being OT on your shots here!).
Agilehound wrote:
....
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 think you already *have* been journalling (is that a word? :-> ), you've been doing it here all along. I really think if you just took every post you've made here and put it "as is" into a book form, perhaps artistically putting your text along with the photos, you'd have the book we'd all like to see and share with friends. You don't need to do this separately in another form. No need to embellish anything, just take what you've already created. It's as if you've been blogging all along...
Periodically I forward one of your posts to my wife and girls, they love it. Please keep going! :->
Wow. That kid looks _exactly_ like me when i was a kid.
The first shots i saw from you were the pumpkin shots. I dont visit this section of the forum so often. It's mostly your images that keep getting me back here.
Great set. Wonderful tone, perfect exposures, wonderful post processing and the clothe choices... I think i'm going to get into child photography.
I have a shot of my son in a similar setting, same emotional perspective. I had an oil of the photo done and hang the two together. It's a nice perspective.
Maybe, Da_Beast, it just feels different because I'm having a conversation with you guys. Maybe that's what journaling is? hmmmmm
Mr. lacksative (lacksative? really? lol), do tell me - did you grow up to be cute? 'Cause I'm pretty sure this guy is going to be cute. Thank you so much for the kind words, you guys are awesome to share with.
mikekel, and oil is an interesting idea - although I have exactly zero talent at that kind of thing. lol Maybe as a gift for his mom though, I'm always looking for cool gift ideas.
Aron, I've been trying to click on people's posts with a nice picture size to see how the Cool Kids do it, but so far haven't come up with anything easy for me. Maybe I just need to make a version w/800 pixels on the long edge and upload that to flickr? The Large size on flickr is too big.
Flickr doesn't seem to have a good medium-large. 
Back in a sec . . . 
