What is the message?

[marcelo_valente]

I'm allways reading about how a photograph needs to pass a message to the viewer. I was wondering if this one I took passes that to the viewer. What do you think has happened here? What do you think of composition, settings used and in general?



Thank you for your comments.

Marcelo

[sk66]

I think the child is terrified/crying because he was just abandoned on the beach and the tire tracks are from where his parents raced away in the car.....

A picture should convey a message "that you want to convey" (it'll never be 100% successful). While we all interpret things for ourselves, the intent/message of your photography is up to you.

[PointNShoot]

Well, it doesn't have to pass a message, though one that does is usually better than one that doesn't.

Can't see his expression very well, but I didn't think he was terrified.

[NilsRagnar]

Actually it's quite clear from the picture that the boy just sent off two sandsnakes in a duel race. If you could see his face a bit clearer you could see the amazed expression in his eyes.

[marcelo_valente]

Hi, thank you for your replies!
Sandsnakes was great!!!!

Here is what happened before


And after that shot:


Thank you again!

[EOBeav]

I'd say that if you're trying to convey a message, you're getting it across in #2.

[marcelo_valente]

Originally Posted by EOBeav

I'd say that if you're trying to convey a message, you're getting it across in #2.

You mean the last shot? Yes, that does give more hints to what happened, doesn't it?

Thanks,

[EOBeav]

Originally Posted by marcelo_valente

You mean the last shot? Yes, that does give more hints to what happened, doesn't it?

Thanks,

Well, the guys pushing the car, that's the one that tells the story. To me, anyway.

[oneronnalee]

As for the first shot: I like the contrast and strong shadows the light is creating. Shot could be improved if the child was lit better, but I understand that you were literally snapping the moment so there isn't always time for that. When shooting in strong light I experimented with using flash which filled out the dar shadows but it depends on the equipment and distance from the subject - not sure how much it'd wor in this scenario, but you could try experimenting with that for the future. I think the large DOF works great but I'd like to see more of the sky - the colour plays great with the boy's shorts. I think if you zoomed out or stepped back a little the subject would feel a little less cramped, but also if we saw more of the sand in the foreground it could make the shot more dynamic with the aid of the lines in the sand. Am I making sense?

My favourite shot is the very last one. I adore the colour of the sand and the sky, as well as the cloud formations, and the diagonal of the sea and curve of the tire tracks makes the shot very dynamic to me. But I feel this photo could benefit from the rule of thirds here - so, if the sky would take up a third of the photo.

Overall I think the shots are great, so the above is just some ideas.