childhood, a photo from Texas, South

Photographer's Note

Denton Jazz Fest: 7

This shot captured childhood in a special way to me. I wonder what it is to be a kid today with so many buzzing and whoorling things to entertain you.

I don't often see kids playing outside doing what kids are supposed to be doing: splashing puddles amusing themselves, or looking in curiosity at what grows in the water.

I liked the story here in all of these kids, and the S-curve composition.

----update---
I added the color version to the workshops see what you think
b

pp:
dodge and burn
DOF blur
cloned out a stray bit of clothing

snuggleaphagus, kajspice, AnimeshRay, KevRyan has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

snuggleaphagus (4146) 2006-05-16 2:26

I love the S it's fantastic. It makes this composition and links the children. The one running in the middle of the canal is great. A tiny bit more room on the left would be great because it seems that boy is talking to the frame.

Toys today are quite different from what I rmembered, toys seem to play by themselves leaving little to the inmagination. I rather liked running through fields and getting filthy dirty in mud and sand.

vapours (8264) 2006-05-16 2:53

I agree with the composition of this one, it looks great with the way the canal curves around (we don't have these in Australia). I assume this is just for stormwater run off?

partha (14023) 2006-05-16 2:57

Nice angle of view.The "S" shape is very appealing.

pwelliott (216) 2006-05-16 9:21

Brady this is a really good composition. I like the s-curve. There is a little tension were the top left hand curve touches the border. I'm not sure if it is helpful. I would be interested to see this shot re-cropped with a bit of grass in between the curve and the border. It may or may not help.

This was a good find.

Philip

kajspice (4542) 2006-05-16 12:02

Hi Brady...

another good idea for a picture. Again, its tells your thoughts well..

I dont know if the DOF blur was really neccessary, but it looks ok...

I think this would also look quite nice in colour...I would almost prefer less children in the foreground, though these things cant be helped!

rosiegirl (1596) 2006-05-16 16:34

I like this shot Brady. Its so simple yet complex. The water ripples look lovely and the S is very cool. Great job.

Rosie

AnimeshRay (9089) 2006-05-18 2:13

A very unusual photo for today's children, Brady. It is lamentable indeed that they do not play so spontaneously outside their home. WE were like these kids once upon a time. A nostalgic view. Nice composition with that curved waterway along the diagonal, and beautiful tonality.
[The colored version attracts attention to the kids, but the black and white is more abstract and attracts my eyes to the curvature and such geometrical elements. I prefer the b&w)]

KevRyan (22956) 2006-05-24 18:16

Glad you just came over - I've been meaning to write about this one since you posted but just so busy at work!! Well i guess i consider myself the number one fan of the 's' shape compo here on TE so how could i but admire this one! It's not just about the obvious shape - many such compositions have no obvious line running though them - but rather the pattern of relationships - the points of interest, realtionship or interaction along that line - here you have both - a strong obvious line but also fore, mid ground and background interest - it's weakest point is to the left near the vehicle behind the tree - there is not such an obvious point of interest along the line so here your strong shape comes into its own....but there is this nice cut through to the building....doesn't quite hit my favourites but a very well seen opportunity - amongst your best compositions here for sure.

best wishes Kev