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The other side

© Kymm C. Gardner

The other side

Uploaded: April 15, 2005

Description

Shot at a preschool, an excited little girl who can't wait to get outside entertains herself by laughing with her friend on the other side.

Comments

Kymm C. Gardner April 15, 2005

I love this shot, opinions, critique anyone? I am here to learn! #237054

April 16, 2005

Another great shot, Kymm!
I also like the title you chose. A few days after discussing titles with you I came up with another that would have fit; "Inside Out." But it seems that not only are you besting me in the "Unforgettable Faces" category, but now you are getting good at titles also. Where will it all end ?
Hopefully, with you being prosperous at the most, and fulfilled, at the least.
Keep on shooting and sharing your works with the rest of us.
DAD #1259824

Protacio Serna April 16, 2005

This image looks too busy for me. There are two kids reflected on the glass making the image somewhat complicated.

The expresion of the girl inside is quite confusing. I'm not sure this one works. You stated that she's laughing but it looks somewhat deseperate.

Regards
PSerna.com #1260063

Kymm C. Gardner April 16, 2005

Hi Protacio, thanks for taking the time to comment. I went back and forth trying decide if I should find a way to edit out the other child, but in the end decided to leave it alone. #1260086

Kymm C. Gardner April 16, 2005

Dad, Thank you for your comments, I love the statemant you came up with. #1260098

April 17, 2005

Kymm,
As someone who has shot and sold a few thousand impromptu shots of weddings, and action shots at little league games, let me say that I disagree with the previous criticism of your photo.
Also let it be known, that while I have a bit of experience in photography, I have never been a judge.
Is the photo "busy?" Well, the bottom line is yes. HOWEVER, it is not a POSED shot. I would like to think that a judge would look at this photo and realized that you saw a "Kodak Moment," quickly grabbed your camera and "took the shot." It is not like you could tell the other child to get out of the way.
As for the expression on her face,
it does not look "desperate" to me. In fact, it is quite obvious to me, that for whatever reason, she is simply YEARNING to be on the other side of that door!
Dad #1261397

Kymm C. Gardner April 17, 2005

Thanks Dad, I know you mean it, because I know you. I'm sure others will say, well of course he's defending her, he's her Dad! Makes me laugh!Thanks for your comments. #1261819

April 17, 2005

I thought the same thing. So I will state here and now, for any that may read this thread, that I have often been your biggest critic when I felt criticism is justified.
Admittedly, I have not done the criticism here in public, possibly because that you often have asked my opinion before entering the contests.
In this case, I will only agree that yes, the photo is busy, but so what ?
Dad #1262179

Kymm C. Gardner April 17, 2005

You're so funny Dad :) #1262321

Protacio Serna April 17, 2005

Sorry to interrupt…Kymm…editing out the other child is not an option. Taking a different shot while you’re there is the best way to go.

Another thing I want to make clear is that when I post an opinion I try not to be influenced by who say what before me. I didn’t realize that Mr. Gardner is your father, but even if I had, my opinion wouldn’t change a bit.

As for Michael, I’m glad about your sales on weddings and ball games. I’m also glad that we both agree the picture is busy. As for the posed, I didn’t say that, or I didn’t even suggest that. If Kymm had moved bit to the right the kid on the bike could be easily blocked by the other boy.

It is wrong to direct people if you want a natural shot, but then the photographer can move to get a better shot. Asking someone to get out of the way is erroneous. You can change the angle, try moving to the sides, getting lower, even waiting, or shooting some shots to make the people think you’re done with the picture, and then restart after they had moved. Those are only a few ways one can try to get your “Kodak Moments”.

I think BetterPhoto is a great place to get different perspectives that might help us improve our images. But if there’s one thing that isn’t helping is your last sentence Mr. Gardner: “the photo is busy, but so what ?”

That is so wrong.
#1262431

Kymm C. Gardner April 17, 2005

My turn...I also agree that the photo is too busy...I did not enter it in the contest for this reason, I simply put it in my gallery and uploaded it for critique and opinions.
I do think it is a unique shot and like it for that reason.
Unfortunately, I was unable to move from this spot as I was watching my class outside and waiting for this little girl to join us. I was holding the door open with my left hand and had the camera in my right. I could not close the door and move as this would have left the little girl inside unsupervised and led to my termination of employment for sure! I suppose my description is a little misleading; the fact is she was making a game out of not coming out when she was supposed to, She thought it was funny and kept laughing at the little boy on the other side. I happened to have my camera with me, so I took a shot! We all agree this photo is too busy-no doubt about it. I do disagree about the expresion though, but maybe that is because I was there and know what was going on. Anyway, as I said before I am here to learn and I thank you both for your comments, opinions, suggestions and advice.
Sincere thanks,
Kymm #1262632

Gena A. Tussey April 17, 2005

Kymm, if you like it...so what if someone else has another opinion. If it makes you feel good and you feel you did the best job you could at that moment and still captured the feeling, that is all that matter. Yes, it's busy, but so are kids. I like th fact there is a lot to see and think about in the emotions. Everyone has something that turns them on when photographing and I personally am tired of pretty flowers and sunsets. While beautiful, it's sooooo much. I work as a portrait photographer, and I have always heard that "it's easy to take a good photo of a pretty person, but it takes an artist to find beauty in the mundane". So, I won't critique you, just give you a kudo for having the guts to open yourself up to the world! Gena #1262867

Kymm C. Gardner April 17, 2005

Thank you so much for your kind words Gena-much appreciated. #1263001

Protacio Serna April 17, 2005

OK...It seems like we have a concensus here. The image is busy.

About the expression there seems to be different opinions but that is OK...it always happens. That is the best part of visual arts.

About the chance to get a better picture, well...you where there Kymm, so you know the whole story, like holding the door with your hand and so forth, but that is irrelevant actually.

No one knows that but the photographer, and you won't be able to be there, next to the print, to explain what you just told us. This is the final image and it should speak by itself.

Could this picture be improved by any way? I don't know.

If it makes you feel good then is a great picture? I don't know....is your picture...and you told us that you love it from the very begining. Is that all that matters? I don't know either.

Why am I writing here if I don't know a thing about all these questions? actually....I don't know!...Oh no....wait...I remember what I'm doing here...there is a sentence in the begining of this thread asking for opinions. Yesss....that is why I'm here...but now...here comes that "so what" again. hehehe...I love this place. "So what"

OK Kymm...if you like it: "so what". You have been pointed the way to Better Photos.

As for me, I only got a couple of things to say. Don't worry...I'll stay away from saying a thing on your picture. If you take your camera to job, make sure it won't be a problem with children's parents, and if you post an image on the web of someone else's kid, make sure they know and thet it won't be a problem either.

I think is time to look for some pictures of pretty flowers and sunsets.

I rest my case.
PSerna.com #1263088

Kymm C. Gardner April 17, 2005

Hello again,
I am aware of the legal aspects of photographing children and I comply. I always get permission to take pictures, post pictures and/or enter contests of the children ahead of time. I would not put myself in jeapordy, but thanks for your concerns.
Also I do not have a problem with you saying anything about my picture, you're right, that is why I am here-for opinions, critique and to learn.
I appreciate that you let me know that editing out the other child was not an option as I was hoping someone knew of a way- apparently that is not possible in this case-and you make a good point-the photo stands alone and needs to speak for itself.
It may seem a little tense and uncomfortable in here, (or is that just me?), but I want you to know I am "listening" for the sake of taking better photos in the future; And for that I thank you.
Oh yeah,one more thing-honestly, pretty flowers and sunsets are just not my thing. You have seen my other picture-of Kaileigh and even though I admit that shot was beginners luck, it is pictures like that which keep me interested in taking pictures of children. #1263286

Protacio Serna April 17, 2005

Ups...sorry about that Kymm...the flowers and sunsets wasn't for you actually.

It should read like this: " I think is time for me to look for some pictures of pretty flowers and sunsets."

Sorry.
Take care and keep shooting
Protacio #1263376

Kymm C. Gardner April 17, 2005

no problem, sorry I misread that. #1263388

Kymm C. Gardner April 17, 2005

no problem, sorry I misread that. #1263389

Gena A. Tussey April 18, 2005

Now that that is out of the way...I am not putting down sunsets and flowers or sticking a fork in Protacio, I love his work and Kymm, you show promise. I am not trying to get into anything with anyone, I am just saying that each individual has an opinion of what they mean. Everybody has an idea of what makes a photograph great, but in the end, it's the person buying the image that is the final call. I have taken some portraits that were awesome, only to have the parents pick the most boring shot there. It's about choices. Protactio if I offended you, I am truely sorry and Kymm, I am sorry for sticking my 2 cents where it didn't belong. #1264411

Kymm C. Gardner April 18, 2005

Hi Gena, thanks for commenting again, You are always welcome to voice your opinions in my threads, no need to apologize! #1266209

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