Hailey blocks

[AmandaPfeiffer]

Now, I realize my other photo of Hailey that I posted didn't get rave reviews , I thought I would see about this one. (There are no foreign objects that the baby could get strangled with or choke on!)

This was a test shot, I later took the pacifier out but this picture turned out to have the blocks laid out the best in it since I kept moving them around trying to get the right view.

(If you guys dont like this one either I have one other favorite that i might see if you like/hate! )

[jiminyClickit]

AmandaPfeiffer,

Foreground, when it's half the photo, big, bright and L E T T E R S, demands attention. It is better lit and may be sharper. I'm at a loss to understand your thinking just before you trip your shutter. There are some things that need simplicity to appreciate: babies, children and pets have all they need to get our attention. Adding props needs a light touch. If above shot were close to face and hand, with a hospital bracelet showing "Hailey," that would say "This photo is about the baby." Could you say more about your intent and vision for this one?

[Matthew James Norman]

I'd rather have liked the baby in focus up front and the blocks spelling out her name slightly out of focus behind her - After all, what's the more important subject, the baby or the name?

[Winning Post]

I must agree. It looks like a lovely shot of some building blocks with your daughter in the background.

[AmandaPfeiffer]

Man you guys are tough....

This photo is not only about the baby (she's not my daughter by the way), it is also a creative way that I am trying to let the viewer know her name and also have a little fun. Having her name unfocused in the background doesn't seem like a great alternative to me since if you can't read what the letters say, that would be more distracting since you are trying to figure out what the letters spell out.

The purpose of my whole shoot was to (a) practice taking pictures of people since i had never really tried to have an actual photo shoot and actually just got my camera a month before! and (b) take a couple hundred pictures showcasing Hailey in a number of different ways. I was not trying to take a picture that would hang up above the couple's couch so they could say "here is Hailey! (and in case your forget her name its right there!)." I have numerous other photos that show her face on, sleeping with no props, etc, but I also wanted to try to be a little fun, creative and artsy.

It seems that not everyone likes photos that aren't traditional. Too me, usually those are very boring, and I appreciate photos that are different. For example, for my wedding, my bridesmaids hiked their dresses up and went splashing around a water fountain and it is one of my favorite pictures of them because it shows their true personality and them having fun. When I showed the photo to my dad, he thought I was kidding and HATED it! "you can't see their faces! it's blurry!" he said. I didn't know how to explain to him that that's part of why I liked it, because it was different and fun and arty. There are plenty of other photos of them looking straight into the camera so what's wrong with having a fun picture like that? Same as the above photo...maybe this example helped you to understand why it's not a straight on, no props, shot? I like to take different shots I guess, and if that takes away from the baby a little, that's okay, since that was meant to be a fun shot.

What about this one.....no props, etc....



I appreciate your comments everyone! I am SUPER new at this and all I hear from friends is that my pictures are great and I don't know if they are saying that just to be nice or if they really think they are great since they are not photographers like you guys and don't see the things that are wrong with it.

Thanks again!

[Amira]

Now that's what I'm talking about!!! Your 2nd shot is MUCH better. I didn't much care for your first two as I felt your props were very distracting from the obvious subject of the photo. I think your 3rd shot here of Hailey on her own on a blanket with soft lighting is much more appealing than any of your other Hailey shots! Definite improvement.

I agree that plain boring Wal-Mart Portait studio shots are not interesting and I love the idea of the candid bridesmaid shot in the fountain, but at the same time you can add whimsical poses or props that don't take away from the subject. Take this photo for example that I found online...

http://lisawarninger.files.wordpress...7/04/baby3.jpg

The baby is still the focus but the shot is taken in a non-traditional way with a cute little prop. While I don't think it's the best it could be, it's just a quick example that while using non-traditional poses or props is great, in my opinion it needs to help enhance the subject rather than take away from it. At least in this type of shot. =)

Keep them coming, this baby is absolutely adorable! =) I love that you are experimenting and trying new things.

[jiminyClickit]

AmandaPfeiffer,

Critiquers do not know your bridesmaids, so chances are some here wouldn't like it for the reasons your Dad cited. If you reread my view, I'm not against props, just the in-your-face use. Yes, your title was "Hailey Blocks" and those are blocks that spell her name. Maybe what we're saying is, don't be too surprised when some parents have the same reaction you see here.

Accepting Critique is not the same as agreeing with someone who criticizes your work. We are giving you opinions based on photography that is more than a snapshot, and in our opinion would be improved if . . .etc.

Your b/w Post #5 above is a universally good depiction of an innocence your others don't give. Do what you think is best; don't be surprised when it isn't embraced by everyone.

(Hailey Blocks: cropped too tight, making an unfortunately long composition, subjects too close to frame. Yellow block [Y] draws attention, yet is hard to see against white background. It's not just about props.)

[photoqueen]

I agree. I like the 2nd one you posted on this thread so much better. I opened the thread, and thought, Ok her name is Hailey but she really does get lost in the colors with everything else.

[Mr. Clipit]

The 2nd post certainly is nice in a traditional way, and I see your approach with the first. But the letters are just screaming I'M HERE!!! LOOK AT ME!!! in tack-sharpness while baby rests peacefully in the background. The letters are large enough that they would be plenty readable in the background, especially with a smaller aperture.

[jiminyClickit]

Mr. Clipit,

If we look at the title, AP did make a photo that fits. That counts too.