First Critique submission -- take it easy on me :)

[Todd Patten]

OK. This is my first image posted on this site. Well, considering that I found it an hour or so ago, I suppose that's not too bad.

My boys

[ChaosCubed]

Cute kiddos!

I think the shot would have been better had you been more on his level. As it is now, you are looking down on him, if you see what I mean. I also think that a tighter crop might be beneficial... and the little boy behind him crawling really distracts from the center of your portrait.

Welcome to the board!!!! I can't wait to see more of your stuff.

[PuckJunkey]

I like this image. I think B&W is the right choice, and has a nice range of tones in that regard. Well exposed, sharp, etc.

Composition-wise I think it's pretty interesting. It's rare you have two kids in a spur-of-moment shot where they're in the same environment but doing two totally different things. The expression on the little guy in the foreground is also pretty good. Not the typical "cute kid looking cute" type face. I like that the emotions being shown aren't obvious relative to the type of picture it is.

My only complaint is that you should resize it to be a bit smaller for this particular site, but I'll let it slide seeing as this is your first submission.

;)

Welcome, btw.

[Todd Patten]

Thank you both for the feedback. It's been some years since I have taken photo's with any conviction. I did it when I was in my late teens and twenties, started to do wedding photography and lost the love for the medium. I set down my Nikon and have barely used it since. Then came the D70, combined with my love for computers.

I actually took this shot using wide angle from slightly above the boys. I was not looking through the view finder but rather just holding the camera up and snapping shots off. The higher angle was done on purpose. I definitely understand wanting the shot from lower, but wanted a different angle than usual.

I will post another on here shortly that was shot in the same series. It's from an slightly different perspective.

BTW - I have to say that this gem of a site has been my best find in my years of browsing the internet. This board in particular is fantastic.

[natatbeach]

welcome fellow New Englander! I really like the perspective on this shot and I love the little boy kinda doing his own thing in the back---good spontaneous shot...the only things I think could use some improvement are the limited tonal values in this-- it's bordering on being a smidgen too gray looking and I would crop a bit off the left to place him less centered....

I can relate to having been in love with photography and just newly acquiring a passion for it again...look forward to seeing more...was that gentle enough ;)

[Todd Patten]

OK. The final two from the series that I will post.



and

[natatbeach]

I like the angle aain...I get a feeling of desperation and movement...like they are either weeding(no pun intended) thru these grasses or as if they are looking for a needle ina haystack...as if they've lost something...the fact that it leaves it open to interpretation makes it a good shot... the Bw is nice but the color has more impact IMHO

[Tin-Cup]

Cute kiddos!

I think the shot would have been better had you been more on his level. As it is now, you are looking down on him, if you see what I mean. I also think that a tighter crop might be beneficial... and the little boy behind him crawling really distracts from the center of your portrait.

Welcome to the board!!!! I can't wait to see more of your stuff.

I Suppose its all about the viewer perspective..
because i think the view from above is much better than being on the same level..
oh well i suppose thats why photography is so great..

but i think we can agree on one think... looking forward to more shots

[Lava Lamp]

OK. This is my first image posted on this site. Well, considering that I found it an hour or so ago, I suppose that's not too bad.

My boys

Getting lower wouldn't have been an issue if you had eye contact. I love how the child at right is kind of scooting away (like kids do.) Nice image.

[Tin-Cup]

i thought i might put a different swing on the photograph... as most other things have been tried, i hope you dont mind (im not to fond of people messing with my photos)

[Sandi Z]

Well no wonder I couldn't find any of your work....holding out?

I love the first one you posted. A small cropping of the sides might be beneficial.

[Todd Patten]

Heh. Heh. And I thought this one was LONG gone!

I don't mind people messing witht he images. Interesting approach. Although, I think it may be better using a less saturated, pastel type look.

[Sandi Z]

Long gone? Me or the photo?

[Todd Patten]

The thread itself

[Sandi Z]

Wow...that is from July, isn't it.