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PhotoZAP 29: Dude!

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Average of 10 ratings: 4.0 stars
 

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Our critics praise and pan your pictures

By Adorama Learning Center Editors

January 18, 2010

“This image is simultaneously a very charming kid photo and disturbingly incongruous.”—Mason Resnick


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© Stacie Powers, Lincoln, NE. Gear: Canon Rebel XTi, Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 lens, Canon 580 EX flash. Exposure: 1/80 sec at f/5.6, ISO 100. 

Photographer’s statement: “This is my nephew.  I just loved everything about it from his pensive look to the positioning of his fingers. This photo was shot in RAW format with post processing in Lightroom 2.5 to increase vibrancy and black chipping.”

Our critics say…

Monica Cipnic: What a great, expressive face and pose of this little guy…I wonder what he’s thinking? My two suggestions are: take down the hottest highlights on his shirt and hands, and also the rear window of the truck, so that's less distracting, and try a slight crop on the right side to eliminate the angled bright object (or take down the highlight there as well). Another possibility would have been to move and frame the picture differently --but with a priceless and potentially fleeting gaze, this is one photo you don't want to miss.

Mason Resnick: This image is simultaneously a very charming kid photo and disturbingly incongruous. The boy’s expression, like the Mona Lisa’s is hard to read (and his eyes follow me around the room!). The slight wide-angle distortion makes him appear a bit out of proportion.  He’s dressed up and his whole demeanor makes him appear thoughtful beyond his years. Yes we can quibble about some hot spots in the background that could distract the eye but they don’t bother me. In this shot, at least, this guy is quite the dude.

Jack Howard: This is just a great fun photo oozing with personality and charm. Working with kids to get natural expressions and emotions is tough, and too often shots are over-architected, leading to an artificial feel. Here's a case where that is SO not the case, so I'm willing to forgive the slight background distractions, such as the angled roofline, because the captured moment in the foreground is so perfect, from the curled collar to the expression and hand positioning. I may have opened the lens up a little bit to further blur the background, but this one has a whole lot going for it as it is.


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Reader Rating and Comments

10 readers rated this article. Average rating: 4.0 stars
 
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1 of 1 people found this comment helpful
 
Nicely done!

I agree with Monica – the rear window of the truck is too distracting. It grabs too much attention. Notice that as you look at the picture, your eyes tend to be attracted by its brightest part (the window) which in this case is not desirable. Make it darker, but not gray dark – keep the natural-brownish color. Also, after you are done, it may appear that the black frame of the same window is still distracting – too dark. Correct that as well. The same idea applies to the highlights on the right side. By eliminating distractions we direct more attention to the main model. Other than that, it think it is a very nice composition.

by Zereeo in Tampa on February 12, 2010

1 of 2 people found this comment helpful
 
Eye of the Beholder...

Sartin, everyone has a different eye for likes and dislikes - don't be afraid of your own. You had to read the comments to determine the rear window was a distraction and notice overexposure. You got it right - the kid's expression IS the story. It is so good that it overwhelms all detriments in other portions of the pic. Don't be afraid of your own opinion - beauty is in the eye of the beholder - leave it there

by Keys in Alabama on January 27, 2010

0 of 0 people found this comment helpful
 
I agree

The rear window the truck gets in the way. I had to go back an look at the photograph 3 or 4 times before I saw how distracting it was and, I admit I only did so after reading the comments. The overexposure of the shirt is another problem. Thanks to the people who pointed it out to me. I would have missed it (and the rear window) 'cause I was just looking at the kid's face and the story it tole

by Sartin in Fort Lauderdale on January 27, 2010

0 of 0 people found this comment helpful
 
Crop it

I downloaded the shot and cropped it square, creating a close up of the boy. You still see he is in a truck. But I think it's even more effective this way.

by nagawassa in Bracebridge ON Canada on January 26, 2010

1 of 2 people found this comment helpful
 
Perfect

You got the shot. To [bleep] with what the critics say. The boy's gaze makes up for everything else that they may tell you to do. Some people just don't get it.

by fudgie in Pennsylvania on January 26, 2010

0 of 0 people found this comment helpful
 
No incongruity here

The toddler's expression is rather adult and streetwise looking; it goes with the appearance of the pickup--ready for a tailback party. The window could be darkened so it's less distracting.

by srajo in California on January 26, 2010

0 of 0 people found this comment helpful
 
Lots to think about

I agree that the truck window is distracting, but this is a great commentary shot on heredity and environment. I would darken the highlights on the right rather than crop because I think the surroundings add to the photo's storytelling power. BTW I tried to remove my star rating but was unable to. My rating is meant for the photo.)

by judymaca in Maryland on January 26, 2010

1 of 1 people found this comment helpful
 
Proud Grandparent

Wonderful expression! I'd almost bet there is a proud grandparent nearby. I'd suggest adding a Linear Burn Blending mode (20% opacity) to give more detail and darken the highlights. To darken the shirt, try selecting the blue with Color Select, Ctrl-J to copy the selection and change the blend mode to Linear Burn at ~60% opacity.

by dbolt in MD, USA on January 26, 2010

4 of 4 people found this comment helpful
 
Awesome pic.

the truck in the background adds a nice touch to the scene. it gives a more rustic feel.

by andrew in Western Colorado on January 19, 2010

2 of 2 people found this comment helpful
 
Children First

I agree with a few of the comments given. A wider aperture would have softened the background a littlle more and a little less exposure to bring down the highlights a tad. But there is an old saying I am reminded of, "Everybody is an expert after the fact." The expression on the little guy's face did not want to be passed up. Perhaps maybe trying another shot with the adjustments - maybe the boy's face would have been just as impressive. Either way, this moment has been captured for all time; a moment that too often eludes us.

by shepherdguy in California on January 18, 2010

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