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apples and dandelions
apples and dandelions
timfythetoo


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Hidden Gem -- 1,000th Challenge! (Advanced Editing VII*)
Camera: Canon EOS-30D
Lens: Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon
Date: Mar 4, 2009
Date Uploaded: Mar 4, 2009



[Mar. 11th, 2009 05:47:45 AM]

Just need to post this here so it is never lost -

From Posthumous when I posted it in the POsthumous Challenge - This is very enjoyable to me. I love when artifice and natural emotion collide. The picture is very emotional, instantly emotional. We get the sense of laughter before anything else, before we realize who or "what" we're looking at.

But this natural, spontaneous effect is created through deliberate and very artificial means. What I like is that the artifice is not at all hidden, not trying to "trick" the viewer, but is so effective that it feels natural anyway. It's the same effect that Judy Garland has as a singer. You know how artificial her performance is, how refined and perfected every gesture and moan are, but it hits home anyway. It presses every button, but not just that. You trust Judy. You know that she gave her life to this art, that ultimately she is sincere. For you, it's the sincerity of your daughter, and the sincerity of the sun, which really is that powerful in its light and heat. Your processing was not so much the adding of artifice as it was the removal of detail in certain areas. As a viewer, I get the delightful feeling that you removed as much as you could without touching anything essential. It's a very comforting feeling, like when Mom cuts your steak for you.

I see laugh, apple and flower, plain as day. Plainer, even.

Statistics
Place: 868 out of 1129
Avg (all users): 5.0818
Avg (commenters): 6.3158
Avg (participants): 5.0815
Avg (non-participants): 5.0833
Views since voting: 1704
Views during voting: 707
Votes: 477
Comments: 100
Favorites: 18 (view)


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AuthorThread
01/01/2012 05:40:51 AM
Amazing pic, REALLY!
So delightful indeed, especially after reading your write up. To photograph the essence of your child like that you can't beat it.

Missed you around here, wonder what you've been up to, but I realized you've set up up your own photography business, looks awesome.

Message edited by author 2012-01-01 07:05:56.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
07/12/2011 09:07:12 PM
Originally posted by Melethia:

This is still one of my all time favorites.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
12/10/2010 08:52:26 PM
This is still one of my all time favorites.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
12/09/2010 01:49:34 PM
Truly a gem, truly memorable, a picture I never forgot. (But goodness, what's with that score?)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
12/09/2010 01:45:12 PM
Truly, truly wonderful, Timfy!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
12/28/2009 04:32:48 PM
i love this so much .. glorious springs to mind ..
glorious .. the happiness which this pic conveys .. so much so that i cant look at it without smiling and feeling good ..
glorious for the amazing exposure that adds somehow to that nearly over abundance of happiness ..
the child's posture is so cute leaning back like that adds another element to the happiness .. carefree and exuberant ..
i love the indistinctness created by the overexposure .. the background a suggestion ..
your title is inspired ..
i have looked at this for over 5 minutes .. nearly basking in the joy .. could be that i'm feeling a bit down that it has affected me so much .. i dont want to stop looking ..
  Photographer found comment helpful.
04/07/2009 04:46:11 AM
One of your best shots IMHO.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/20/2009 02:32:37 AM
I was just browsing though pics and saw this again. This has to be my all time favorite picture!!! It makes me laugh and smile and feel good! Her joy is truly contagious! And the way you captured it is awesome!! It's almost as it her joy is spilling out to everything around her, so bright that it actually lights up the air she breathes! I love this picture!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/19/2009 08:13:29 PM
Originally posted by timfythetoo:

I believe it is time for me to take a break from challenges and do some vision seeking.

Nooooooo. Say it ain't so! I'll miss scrounging the challenges to find the "too" shot. You've been an inspiration. Good luck with whatever you do and don't stay away too long. :)

Message edited by author 2009-03-19 20:14:02.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/19/2009 01:27:28 AM
I'm so surprised that this was passed up. I really love the mood, the high key and well... you know. It's fab.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/19/2009 01:13:51 AM
Count me in as adding it to my favorites as a mark of protest for this idiotic score :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/18/2009 04:31:36 PM
SO underrated!!! What's going on lately with voters!!!!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/18/2009 03:39:52 PM
5.0... Unbelievable...

This new wave of users needs to hurry up and learn their basics so they can start appreciating the art of breaking the rules.

This is one of my absolute favorite photos on the site, but I've never marked it as a favorite. I never had to, because it's ingrained in my memory. I'll go ahead and add it now as some form of silent protest.

...stupid effin watery sunsets! Gah! I'm so mad, heh.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/18/2009 12:38:06 PM
Has genuine heart in it, and easily one of your most engaging shots. Don't sweat the score.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/18/2009 08:12:37 AM
I cannot believe how this ended up :( I gave this a 10 during voting, and made it a fave on the spot. It is such a fantastic image in so many ways. I just saw your comment about leaving this crazy DPC world for a while. You couldn't have gone out on a better image! I hope our paths cross again in the future. Best of luck to you, Tim, and God Bless.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/18/2009 07:21:48 AM
Is it odd that I am slightly bummed that this didnt score less? I would have loved to have a 4 attached to this image - especially alongside the comments and faves recieved (not to take away from any of the other faves on this shot - but I finally recieved a nixter fave - WHOOH HOOH!)

I almost entered this in the best of 2008 but decided to go with a colorful shot instead. I was a bit dissappointed in myself for doing so (though I love that image as well). I am so happy that I had an opprotunity to enter this image. I LOVE this shot! I had my wide angle on (thanks brad, and Rowan was running up close til her nose was touching the lens and then she would back off laughing. We were having a blast just being silly. And somewhere in the mix this image was caught. This is my daughter. This is who she is. She is eating apples all of the time. She picks dandelions wherever we go and then she gives them to complete strangers. And she laughs. She laughs hard. She is a bright shining light in my life and this image captures it perfectly for me. It is overexposed, it is tilted, the border is different (though it does center the dark strip). This image was accidental but totally on purpose. I wouldnt change a thing. And it looks AWESOME printed. I sense a 20x30 canvas coming. ;)

This entry is also a crossroads for me. I have been at DPC for over 3 years now and I have had a blast. I have learned a ton and met some great people. I believe it is time for me to take a break from challenges and do some vision seeking. I dont plan on being a complete stranger - my kids will show up in entries from time to time for sure. Just need some time to look around a bit and see what God has planned for me.

Thank you all!

03/18/2009 07:00:29 AM
It really surprises me (no, honestly it doesn't any more) that this ended up so far below all those lifeless, over saturated, landscapes. this was one of the top 10 images of the competition. Votes value pretty over sublime. Your notes hit it right on the head. This is the perfect edit of a perfect image. Keep on - I much prefer your take on the world than the DPC consensus.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/18/2009 05:23:01 AM
Pure joy and innocence. Wonderful shot!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/18/2009 03:05:23 AM
Really thought this should have been voted higher. Some people just need to get over the technical aspect of photography and embrace the true art of it. (I can say that because I used to only eval the techie stuff :-)

This picture made me laugh along with her! I love it!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/18/2009 02:33:09 AM
I think the 10 favorites says it all. Great shot Tim.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
03/17/2009 10:31:20 PM
Love the shot, hate the border. Won't deduct points though because really the photo is most excellent. Great high key work and and an honest feeling of joie de vive.

ETA: Okay, not hating the border as much these days. Loving the image even more. One of three tens I've given.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/17/2009 09:30:39 PM
Oh the simple pleasures of being a kid. Her happiness is so exuberant that she's blowing out the image. Can I vote 11?

An easy choice for
...and I love what you've done with the border.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/17/2009 08:33:30 PM
I'm really enjoying this shot. Timfy? It's so enjoyable watching these kids grow up! The tilt and blown-out bits really work in this shot- two things I don't particularly enjoy most of the time. Interesting border as well.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/17/2009 07:46:30 PM
You didn't hide this very well. DNMC! :P (no vote)

Ok, ok, I'll fav it. :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/17/2009 07:16:51 PM
Awesome high key shot. Goood composition.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/17/2009 06:38:55 PM
Nice bright candid shot!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/17/2009 03:17:48 PM
Delightful high key portrait. Maybe a bit too much high key effect at the top.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/17/2009 11:22:18 AM
I love the overexposure in this and the expression of glee on her face.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/17/2009 09:17:46 AM
what an absolutely breathtaking portrait! fantastic. going right to faves. 10.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/16/2009 09:05:31 PM
a little too blown out
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/16/2009 06:49:43 PM
Nice shot.. though I find it overexposed, and I dont like the uneven border.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/16/2009 10:37:38 AM
:))) great moment but if its a high key it didnt do for me, yet I give five


;D
brano
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/16/2009 05:15:37 AM
A little too blown out but I like the setup and expression in this shot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/16/2009 12:15:27 AM
I suppose it's possible you were after a high key photo here, and perhaps with a different crop, it could work well. But as it is, it appears to have been simply over exposed.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/15/2009 11:30:17 PM
Voted earlier coming back to comment now. Some might see the the blown highlights in the top left corner as a flaw but I see it's use in a poetic light to capture mood and feel. What it effectively does is call the eye's attention the the child's face. More specifically it is the open smile the laughing mouth that is the real focus that captures the mood. The sound of a child's laughter tickles my ears; it is light and bright very much akin to the blown highlights. The laughter is also all sunshine and joy. I feel that just by looking at her happy face. Her stance is happy abandon taking joy in the taste of an apple and the fun that can be had from blowing on a dandelion. I do have a critique (sigh, now she gets picky right;-) ) and that is the dandelion's head is barely visible. The only suggestion I have to make it much more noticeable without disturbing the rest of the elements in the scene is to use the post processing tool of burn to see if you can get some details and contrast back. I also find it interesting in the choice of giving it a widescreen look - by doing so, you effectively invoke the idea that the viewer is watching a scene from a movie.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/15/2009 11:01:42 PM
over the top, one of my faves in the challenge
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/15/2009 10:13:36 PM
Very high key, but a fun shot none the less. The laugh is almost infectious - even without the sounds. She is obviously having fun.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/15/2009 09:20:08 PM
love the title, layout, and bursting joy...nice work, perfectly exposed to add a gentle touch...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/15/2009 04:55:18 PM
This is photo is crammed full of life and joy...the high-key is brilliant and fits this photo perfectly. Excellent photograph!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/15/2009 04:21:29 PM
The burnt out whites work very well here, but I am not sure if I understand the frame. Is is crazy on purpose?
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/15/2009 02:10:08 PM
Not sure I'm really feelin the whole high contrast here. Otherwise it is well composed and the B&W treatment works well.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/15/2009 12:43:50 PM
I remember loving this shot the first time I saw it... such energy, laughter and genuine happiness!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/15/2009 11:56:00 AM
Ah Tim, another wonderful photo of your daughter. The walls in your home must be like an art gallery. She is beautiful and this shows so much joy. Thanks for sharing your beautiful photos of your equally beautiful children with us.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/15/2009 10:23:44 AM
I like it *too*... I'm sure you're getting hammered, but it has such a sense of joie-de-vivre...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/15/2009 08:13:12 AM
She looks like a sweet child but I don't care for the photo because half her head is blown out. I also don't like the large border.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/15/2009 12:11:37 AM
Love it. 9
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/15/2009 12:09:14 AM
great fun loving image.Love the tilt and hi-key not sure about the border.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/15/2009 12:00:54 AM
One of the best examples of a good 'bad' photograph I've ever seen. Surely even DPC's leaden, lumpen 'technicals police' will see the point of this glorious poke in the snoot of convention? It's a sublime example of using a camera to see the unseen, and to liberate the essence of the subject. Apple, dandelion, spirit, exposure, frame ... I love it all. 10. And the scoring kiss of death ... the Order of the Thumb:
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/14/2009 11:16:56 PM
her head gets lost in the background as does the dandelion
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/14/2009 11:10:25 PM
good conversion to black and white
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/14/2009 08:30:48 PM
delightful!! : ) A great example of what happens when you break the rules! One of my top pics and favorites! : )
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/14/2009 05:21:24 PM
Tone those highlights down! It's way overblown!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/14/2009 04:12:21 PM
Back to comment and bump: I'm not a real fan of the high key look here but I've looked at this image at least 4 times. Something keeps drawing me back (it couldn't be that look of pure joy could it) and this image is definitely starting to grow on me. 7
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/14/2009 11:32:45 AM
do not like your border...it isn't balanced and your shot is way overexposed
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/14/2009 09:10:24 AM
I still completely, totally, and utterly love this picture.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/14/2009 06:37:46 AM
Nice use of overexposure.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/13/2009 10:40:28 PM
This picture is amazing. Seriously. A new favorite.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/13/2009 08:25:13 PM
I like the mostly high key effect and that moment captured, but it looks a bit blown out on the left side of the face, not sure if that was intentional. I don't really care for the border, but that's just my opinion.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/13/2009 05:35:11 PM
Great smiley character
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/13/2009 04:42:20 PM
Interesting treatment, her expression is great.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/13/2009 04:40:22 PM
Border really doesn't add to the image.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/13/2009 04:14:27 PM
i like how overexposed this picture is, but the borders are a bit annoying, i think a thin black border if any would add to this
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/13/2009 03:13:34 PM
the high key treatment elevates this image
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/13/2009 02:55:56 PM
Well, this certainly has a Timfy feel to it. Oops! Looking at my previous comments, I think I'm supposed to say "Nice one, Tim." So now I wonder if the other too shot is Aidan's or if Aimee put in a goofy one.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/13/2009 02:16:16 PM
Very blown out and I have no idea what's going on with the border.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/13/2009 02:07:00 PM
Wonderful editing on this to give the image the same mood the girl is portraying. Such a sense of joy and playfulness. I even think the white framing added works really well, and I typically hate them. love the 'balancing' smudge in the left corner that some might niggle about - it balances the image and reminds us that stuff is there. 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/13/2009 11:32:04 AM
very high key, her expression really helps the shot, 6
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/13/2009 11:17:27 AM
a little too high key for my taste
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/13/2009 09:48:16 AM
Joyful portrait with a nice smile!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/13/2009 04:53:00 AM
I laughed out loud when I saw this!! I normally do not like high key pictures but love this capture!!! It's a great emotive picture with a beautiful model Nicely done. 10 for the joyful feeling this evoked!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/12/2009 11:37:30 PM
wonderful moment!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/12/2009 11:26:39 PM
Great composition!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/12/2009 09:11:41 PM
I love the spirit of this shot and the white border!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/12/2009 08:13:54 PM
I have no words or score for this - sorry
03/12/2009 06:47:12 PM
Cute shot, but it's just a bit too whited-out to catch the detail. I love the tilted horizon and the angles.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/12/2009 02:24:30 PM
I love the high key look here. Great natural expression. 8
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/12/2009 01:52:33 PM
I like the pic and expression but a bit over exposed.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/12/2009 01:33:17 PM
not to fond of the different border, and the high key is a little overdone loosing a lot of detail
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/12/2009 11:36:24 AM
A gleeful moment, but the over exposure doesn't work for me.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/12/2009 10:49:00 AM
Looks like a great moment, but the blown out portions are distracting.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/12/2009 08:51:20 AM
The frame can go but love the high key you did with this. Nice subject. She looks like she is having a great time.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/12/2009 06:31:57 AM
Yay! Excellent choice for this challenge. Definitely one of my favorite shots of yours.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/12/2009 04:28:15 AM
Slightly too overexposed but almost really nice
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/12/2009 01:06:25 AM
I really don't like the border thing...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/11/2009 10:35:37 PM
Perfect JOY! I love the high key aspect of this.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/11/2009 09:45:03 PM
Looks like a mad scientist laugh.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/11/2009 09:39:40 PM
I like the shot but the border is a bit odd.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/11/2009 08:47:12 PM
a little too blown out and i am not feeling the odd border
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/11/2009 08:03:35 PM
Very interesting choice of editing. It feels like she is lost in the moment, or from a darker perspective, it looks like there has been a large explosion. Top marks from me for being so creative and bold.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/11/2009 07:22:16 PM
Nice high key...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/11/2009 05:27:09 PM
For me I love the over exposure here, it makes it striking.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/11/2009 04:36:40 PM
Fun capture.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/11/2009 12:50:48 PM
I love the look of happiness on her/his face.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/11/2009 12:27:45 PM
Fun use of highlights. Artfully presented.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/11/2009 11:56:39 AM
Very cute!!! I love her expression.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/11/2009 10:50:28 AM
Absolutely wonderful! I bet you get a few comments about over exposure and her head disappearing into the background, but well, I think this is fabulous!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/11/2009 10:29:37 AM
giggles! So great to laugh like a kid!! Cute shot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/11/2009 02:52:59 AM
little overexposed
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/11/2009 02:22:53 AM
OK.. borderline horrible.. but enough funky elements to make it very cool.. so I guess the rules are don't just do a little bad - do a lot bad and it becomes super fab. 9
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/11/2009 02:01:01 AM
Cute, fun shot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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