Inspiring Photo: Reflections of Fun -101 #9795578

Reflections of Fun -101

Uploaded: February 18, 2010

Description

Exif: F Number: 4.5, Exposure Bias Value: 0.00, ExposureTime: 1/80 seconds, Flash: did not fire., ISO: 200, White balance: Auto white balance, FocalLength: 50.00 mm, Model: NIKON D70

Comments

Susan M. Reynolds February 20, 2010

This was the park where my last photo shoot took place...this was not long before I fell. Dr. said one was torn and the other severed completely...they have a consult scheduled for surgery.
But here are a couple of shots from before I went down! #1241076

Susan M. Reynolds February 20, 2010

And with his rent-a-grammy, Ethie. #8402534

Susan M. Reynolds February 20, 2010

All of these are hand-held which I usually never do, but couldn't keep up with the little tyke so I ditched the tripod. Now I regret it because none are really crystal clear...boooo! #8402754

Dale Hardin February 21, 2010

Susan this is a heartwarming series. It's so much fun to see what these little guys can do and how much they enjoy exploring the world.

There is too much here to critique on a one on one level but have a few comments none the less. I know some like it, but for me the vignette makes the images look muddy and poorly exposed and I'd suggest leaving them off.

Most of my thoughts are positive to all the images. You have the material for some outstanding framable shots here and it only takes a bit of our friend PhotoShop to make it happen.

The only one that needs a lot of work is the first one and I'll send you an email showing that even a shot as dark and blurry as this can produce a fine image. #8404625

Susan M. Reynolds February 21, 2010

Thanks Dale...I didn't intend to have everyone critique all of them at all, just showing the group a few of the series. I love the first one and still have all the raw files of the 152 shots that were taken.
The mom liked the vignetting on some of the shots...not sure why it appeals to so many people. I agree it looks ok on some...but not all. My daughter was with me using the D70 and continued taking photos after I fell while waiting for my hero to come take me to the ER!
I'd be happy to hear your suggestions for photo#1.
This is a friend of mine, Ethie, who loves this little boy like he was her own grandson and he loves her just as much...Keegan is always wanting to be with her instead of going home with his mom! (Ethie lost one of her grandson's to a brain tumor at age 9 after 23 years of surgeries and hospitalizations.) There is a truly special bond between these two that shows that friendship has no age barrier. #8404987

Susan M. Reynolds February 21, 2010

I meant 3 years. He was diagnosed with the brain tumor at age 6. Sorry about all the errors lately, must be the lack of sleep. #8405079

Ellen H. Robertson February 21, 2010

Susan great series. Would love to see Dales suggestions on the first one. My absolute favorite is Crazy Faces, love that one. #8405104

Joan E. Hoffman February 22, 2010

Wonderful series Susan.... have to agree with Ellen on crazy faces... it is priceless! Hope you are well on the road to recovery! #8407084

Teresa H. Hunt February 22, 2010

Susan, great series. The first one is wonderful and I'm excited to see Dale's suggestions. I really like "Please Don't Bite Me". I think the vingette really helps lead your eye straight to the little boy. My favorite of the 2 together is the one of them sitting on the log.

I think some of these would be great canidates for an antique lighting effect. I have it as a preset in lightroom. I have a couple photo's in my gallery with the effect. #8407418

Rita K. Connell February 22, 2010

my favorite is please don't bite me and I also love the vingette on this one. you have a great series here Susan it looks like you were having alot of fun. I will say I don't like the vingette on the first post, I like that you can see him in the reflection of the water. great job... #8408429

Anthony L. Mancuso February 23, 2010

Very cute series Susan...my favs are Don't bite me, would try a flip on it..Keegans grin...great expression, although I would crop/clone the sun out..and a kiss from grammie Ethie, another great expression and even though it there is some blur, I think it works ok on this shot.. #8409561

Peter W. Marks February 23, 2010

Hi Susan. I know I have said before that I like images that either tell or at least suggest a story. You have done it girl!
What was that little verse that sisters used to taunt their brothers with?
"What are little boys made of?
Slugs and snails and puppy dog tails.
That's what little boys are made of!"

And like we cared! We got to play in the mud, fall in the streams and scrump (steal) apples from neighbor's orchards.

A fun series Susan. But just to show I can take photography seriously, I too think that the vignetting does nothing for the images.
#8410268

Kathleen Nealon February 23, 2010

I agree, this is a wonderful series. For me, I like 'crazy faces'. It is totally what little boys are made of.
Seeing such wonderful pictures of a person (albeit little) makes me even more confident in my decision NOT to pursue people photography. You have the gift of capturing the bits of the essence of the boy. That's great. #8410509

Susan M. Reynolds February 23, 2010

Tried to follow the insructions Dale, but I think I got a little mixed up. I also have not cropped it at all. Wanted to see if this was better first. #8411151

Susan M. Reynolds February 23, 2010

Tried to follow the insructions Dale, but I think I got a little mixed up. I also have not cropped it at all. Wanted to see if this was better first. #8411156

Susan M. Reynolds February 23, 2010

Now I can't find where I saved it to. I'll try again tomorrow I guess,, #8411160

Debbra Bailey February 24, 2010

Susan, the series is adorable :) I am so sorry to hear you got hurt!

I have the BP book on photographing children. In it, they suggest NOT to use a tri-pod for the very reason you said - they don't sit still and usually the best shots are in motion. They suggest to use a fast shutter speed ( at least 200) with an appropriate apeture and expose setting to allow for enough light. Day light works best :) #8412525

Susan M. Reynolds February 24, 2010

I'm going to work on the series using Dale's suggestions to see if I can improve the sharpness..but you're right I have the BP book on photographing children, and unless, they're older and "in-studio" it's almost impossible to use them with children!
Go for consult with the surgeon tomorrow - keeping my fingers crossed! #8413033

Debbie E. Payne February 27, 2010

susan - I think, like dale said, thatPS can help on many of these shots. a great series.. my favorite is "don't bite me"

i can already feel your pain - literally and figuratively.
am anxious to hear what your surgeon had to say. whatever it is he plans for you I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. surgery is behind me but a lot of healing and pt and patience is still ahead of me. I hope that one day in the not so distant future both of us will be out 'shooting" again. #8420828

Michael Kelly February 28, 2010

Susan sorry to hear about your misfortune. Keep us informed on what is going on.

Great series and most has been said but I am an anti vignette person also though on rare occasions it can be good.

Tripods don't work well for action shots in most cases so I think you made the correct decision there, just be sure and get your shutter speed up. #8422904

Susan M. Reynolds March 01, 2010

Thanks all for your input...I'll be re-working a lot of the 152 photos that I ended up with after deleting the ones that were the worst off.
The one of Keegan on the stump with the sun-flare behind him did get an EP so I think I'll leave that as is.
As for the health update...it's 6 weeks of intense physical therapy followed by surgery on my knee.
I've had extrememely bad migraines passed out 3 tmes and have fallen again 4 times in the last 6 days with the last time passing out my husband was home and called an ambulance. The ER said all the tests came back okay, but they want to do a cat scan, I have a few appts. later this week. I think it's just lack of sleep for days at a time, but what do I know.
Scariest thing for me is my mom having a massive stroke at 58 and my sister and I took care of her in our homes for 7 months. She couldn't talk, walk, eat or do anything for herself...and died 7 months later from another stroke.
I appreciate everyone's help with my series of Keegan and can't wait to get back out and start shooting again....
Cheers to all :)
Susan #8424718

To discuss, first log in or sign up (buttons are at top center of page).

Get Constructive Critiques

Did You Know?

Discussions by Category: You can view photo discussions on various themes in the Community > Photo Discussions section of the site.

BetterPhoto Websites: If you see an orange website link directly under the photographer's name, it's totally okay. It's not spam. The reason: BetterPhoto is the one that offers these personal photography websites. We are supporting our clients with those links.

Unavailable EXIF: If there is no other information but 'Unavailable' in the EXIF (meaning no EXIF data exists with the photo), the 'Unavailable' blurb is not displayed. If there is any info, it shows. Many photos have the EXIF stripped out when people modify the image and resave it, before uploading.

The following truth is one of the core philosophies of BetterPhoto:

I hear, I forget.
I see, I remember.
I do, I understand.

You learn by doing. Take your next online photography class.

You &

Love It!

Copyright for this photo belongs solely to Susan M. Reynolds.
Images may not be copied, downloaded, or used in any way without the expressed, written permission of the photographer. Contact photographer via gallery
Log in to follow or message this photographer or report this photo.

My Profile

My Photo Shows

My Photos

My BetterPholio

My Messages

My Courses

Description

Comments

Get Constructive Critiques

Did You Know?