Blew Bubble
by myqyl

Comment:

Originally posted by jmsetzler: Greetings from the Critique Club :) I believe from your challenge comments, we have already established the fact that she is cute, so I won't elaborate on that :) ...I read one of your comments mentioning a 'snapshot' quality about the image. What do you think about this? There are definite difference between your average family album shapshots and portrait photos. What could you have done differently with this subject to eliminate the 'snapshot' feel of the image? I am no expert on this subject, so I don't know either :) Keep up the good work though :) John Setzler

John -- Thanks for sneaking in a hint of the Socratic method -- it's effective and "inoffensive."

myqyl -- I originally got my camera to shoot snapshots of MY cute kid, but had enough previous (graphic) art experience to try and make it possible to artistically "re-purpose" them.

The most prominent difference between snapshots and "artistic" photos seems to be cropping. This makes sense, since the purpose of the snapshot is usually to record the presence of a person/thing or event at a particular time and location, so there's usually a lot of background and context with a barely-recognizable subject. In more arty photos of people or things, most photographers crop away almost all the background, or make it neutral, or otherwise de-emphasize it versus he subject.

This frame doesn't leave much to crop. If I were to re-shoot it, I would definitely capture the frame with her hand up by her face and the bubble in the process of emerging, from a position about 15 degrees to the left of where you took this one, and maybe even lower. You'd see her eyes, as John mentioned, but they'd be twisted down and in as she concentrates on the bubble (no reflection if you want to use the flash). You'd be able to crop to the back of her hand on the left, her hair on the top and right, and to her elbow on the bottom.

Send me an email if you want to discuss the Art of the Snapshot outside of DPC, and exchange examples...

--Paul

Message edited by author 2002-12-11 23:16:41.

Peeling Blue
by paynekj

Comment:
As I mentioned in a forum post, I like the grid background, but would have used a "non-repro blue" paste-up board.

Spaghetti
by Jacko

Comment:
The way the image is lost in the corners bothers me little (maybe an almost-square crop would help), but I like the overall idea and execution -- good use of mundane subject.

Simply Blue
by Natasha

Comment:
I like the composition and contnt, and for ths challenge I can even see deliberately heightening the difference between fore- and background. Still, I think I'd want to boost the contrast and detail of the background if I was going to print it for frequent viewing...

Electric Blue
by LindaLee

Comment:
Clever use of a mundane item.

Cosmos
by Alecia

Comment:
Very clever -- bet you had a much shorter exposure time usually needed to shoot stars.

Primarily Blue
by jimmythefish

Comment:
$2 Coin? We're not in Kansas anymore...

Ice Cold
by spiller

Comment:
I like the image, but for this challenge would have sugested a subtle blue toning (I think like toning a print with selenium).

5 Platters - 80 Megabytes!
by ChrisW123

Comment:
Circa 1990? I like the lighting.

Wedlock
by Mustbelost

Comment:
I like your ring design. I don't like quite so much glare of the lock. You had to print that brand...