Father and Son

[gahspidy]

I have had this one for about a year now, but never did anything with it other than keep it in my collection of "view from within" series.
I am about to submit three works to a juried show which will open here in New York in March, with one of the curators and judges being Anne Strauss, curator of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
This is one of three that I'm thinking of submitting. The three are all along this theme and in b&w.
What is your thoughts on this photograph. I don't recall ever posting this on the boards and so I would love to hear your feedback
Thanks.

[w.slayman]

Gary,

This shot is very creative, and captivating. I tried to look for a distraction or something on the right portion of the poto and my eyes kept being drawn back to the father and son. The only nit, and a very small one at that, is the vine that cuts down by the fathers chin might be a distraction, but I keep having second and third thoughts about it. Otherwise a very powerful image.

[Frog]

I noticed the vine, too, but only after trying to find details that "might" distract. I figure that if I had to look that hard, it isn't really a distraction.
I see a father warning his son about going into such places and the place could be a metaphor for many of life's temptations.

[daq7]

The vine overall is obviously an essential part of the composition and is brilliant. It is unfortunate that it intersects his chin.

[Old Timer]

Beautiful example of your mastery of this type image. You give the viewer an intimate glimpse of a moment in time captured from a secluded place so as not to intrude on the subjects being photographed. Once again your ability to bring out shadow detail enhances the overall appeal of the image. As for the vine it is an integral part of the scene and to me doesn't detract from the effectiveness of the image.

[gahspidy]

Thanks for the thoughts Bill, frog, daq7, and Larry. I always felt a bit unsettled about the vine going through the chin, but never bothered doing anything about it. I decided to do the quick fix that it was and I like the result of it not being in the way. I have reposted the edited version, so this is now with the vine removed from the face.
Thanks.
There are others from the series that i think are stronger , but I going with this as the third image because the other two are "open door" shots and i wanted to keep it cohesive it terms of visual and theme.

[readingr]

Gary,

Can you post the original side by side with the edited one. - I had been back to this about 6 times and was trying to find the right words.

Now that you've posted the edited one, I think I prefer the original but can't say why without seeing them side by side. I think its to do with the framing of the vine, but it may be my little grey cells letting me down.

Roger R.

[Overbeyond]

Everything is good here Gary but I am really enjoying the large insect-like shape of that bush as it sticks it's head out the door wondering if he can dare you both inside.

[CLKunst]

Go with your gut Gary and never be afraid to make it personal. I love it and wouldn't change a thing. That vine is a bridge within the composition it translates perfectly between both areas. As is par with your other "View From Within Photos" it's a lovely balance of light and shadow that is the truest balance of photography, regardless of medium, and you appear to do it effortlessly. Best of luck to you! I hope you knock 'em dead!!!! :thumbsup:

[gahspidy]

Thanks Roger, Tom and Cindy.
Tom, yes the vine is important and i like your interpretation of it. I kind of look at it as though the vine is peeking out around the door and looking at the subjects with interest.
Roger, here is the image before slightly pruning the vine. I think i will go with the edit as it does not take away from the vine factor at all and leaves no thoughts about distraction or such.
Cindy, I'll go with my gut here and leave the edit. I think it works well. I'm glad you like the image and i hope it makes the grade.
I'll let you all know what happens.

[readingr]

Gary,

If your going ahead with the edit then can I suggest you loose the vine directly above your head to make it a cleaner image. It's just to close to your head to be comfortable to the viewer.

By the way now that I have seen both I agree with you that the vine needs to go.

Roger R.

[gahspidy]

Gary,

If your going ahead with the edit then can I suggest you loose the vine directly above your head to make it a cleaner image. It's just to close to your head to be comfortable to the viewer.

By the way now that I have seen both I agree with you that the vine needs to go.

Roger R.

OK, that sounds like a good suggestion. while I'm with my Adobe pruners in hand I will see how that works.
Thanks much for the help here.

[chrisnesss]

Great image, every element works well. I only have one question. Where did the clothes hanger come from? Lol.

[gahspidy]

Great image, every element works well. I only have one question. Where did the clothes hanger come from? Lol.

Ha!. I always wondered that myself It was just there. Such an unlikely place to find a clothes hangar. I have wondered if it belonged to some vagrant as sometimes you see evidence of people living and making themselves comfortable in some of these abandoned structures.