PotW 22 Jan 2008

Each week, one of the moderators or administrators selects an image that, for whatever reason, catches their eye. Please feel free to add your comments here. Vigorous discussion of the images and techniques is welcome and encouraged. Criticism of any mod for their choice is not. Please note that this is "Picture of the Week"; do not confuse that with "best picture of the week", which is a concept of which we have no understanding.

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PotW 22 Jan 2008

Postby gstark on Tue Jan 22, 2008 8:08 am

You know, I really don't like shots of cute kids. Nor babies.

Dogs? Love 'em. But not kids.

Nor babies. If you want to wind PotW when I'm choosing, then you would be well advised to post an image of a labrador, big sad eyes staring up up you, rather than one of your kid.

...

But I do like good photos, and this week Patrick posted a couple of images of Alex that I simply love.

These needed a bit of work from what Patrick originally posted, but the end result is a charming shot of Alex exploring his world, with an expression of wonderful focus and determination that I just love. And the softness of the image only adds to the charm of this.

Yes, it's an image that's got a number of technical and logical faults, but for all of those, it works, as an image, and it works bloody well. Goes to prove that you can break the rules, and come up with a great image, when you know what you're doing.

Image

The original thread is here
g.
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Re: PotW 22 Jan 2008

Postby Geoff on Tue Jan 22, 2008 9:36 am

Congrats Patrick! Great series and I am unlike Gary in the fact that I love good child/baby portraiture so I can understand how you nailed it this week :lol:

Well chosen Gary!!

The exploratory nature of the shot, the square crop and the 'look' on Alex's face have resulted in a fantastic image, oh yeah..the photographer did a pretty good job too! :D
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Re: PotW 22 Jan 2008

Postby blacknstormy on Tue Jan 22, 2008 10:53 am

Congrats :)
Was a really different kid shot - and that's what made it stand out - well done :)
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Re: PotW 22 Jan 2008

Postby Yi-P on Tue Jan 22, 2008 11:45 am

Very cute!! :D
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Re: PotW 22 Jan 2008

Postby Reschsmooth on Tue Jan 22, 2008 5:35 pm

Thanks guys, and thanks Gary for the pick - it is always an honour to be picked for POTW - the other time was also a shot of Alex :). Thanks everyone.
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Re: PotW 22 Jan 2008

Postby colin_12 on Tue Jan 22, 2008 5:44 pm

Go Patrick. Seems like you are on a winner with that lad of yours.
Regards Colin
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Re: PotW 22 Jan 2008

Postby Alpha_7 on Tue Jan 22, 2008 5:49 pm

Congrats Patrick, well done!
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Re: PotW 22 Jan 2008

Postby gstark on Tue Jan 22, 2008 6:09 pm

Yi-P wrote:Very cute!! :D


Actually, I don't consider this to be cute. Were that the case, I don't think the image would have grabbed me.

Instead, we have an image that is of a baby, with a great expression on his face, and wonderfully framed by the hand extended trying to grab the lens.

As a baby photo, yes, it works.

But it works on many other levels as well: it's not just a baby photo - it's a portrait, it's a great candid, it's a great head shot, the b&w conversion works well, and I think that the square crop has transformed the original from just a baby shot into what it now is: PotW.

And for those who may be interested ... no, I'm not really an ogre (well, I might be) but after about 30 years of shooting, one might tire of cute baby shots, as well as brides and grooms ....
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Re: PotW 22 Jan 2008

Postby Killakoala on Tue Jan 22, 2008 7:20 pm

Great choice. Well done Patrick. It is well worthy of the title POTW. Congratulations.
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Re: PotW 22 Jan 2008

Postby Steffen on Wed Jan 23, 2008 12:45 am

Wtf?

I mean, congratulations Patrick...

Cheers
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Re: PotW 22 Jan 2008

Postby whitey on Wed Jan 23, 2008 7:18 am

Great photo. Really liked it when I saw it in the original thread.

Especially like the look on the little ones face
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Re: PotW 22 Jan 2008

Postby whitey on Wed Jan 23, 2008 7:18 am

Great photo. Really liked it when I saw it in the original thread.

Especially like the look on the little ones face
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Re: PotW 22 Jan 2008

Postby Bindii on Thu Jan 24, 2008 1:20 pm

Oh good choice Gary! And congrats Patrick I took to this shot as soon as I saw it! :)
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Re: PotW 22 Jan 2008

Postby Reschsmooth on Thu Jan 24, 2008 6:05 pm

Thanks for the kind words, everyone, much appreciated.
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