Kid and Cat Silhouette

[Jarmo Juntunen]

Hi OPF members, I just wanted to hear your opinion on this one. Does it work for you the way it does for me?

Midwinter Silhoutte

 

[George Holroyd]

Maybe a bit dark on the right-hand side, but I like it.

 

[Jarmo Juntunen]

Maybe a bit dark on the right-hand side, but I like it.

Thank you for your input, George! I agree, now that you pointed that out.

 

[Asher Kelman]

Hi OPF members, I just wanted to hear your opinion on this one. Does it work for you the way it does for me?

Midwinter Silhoutte

I'd clone in more background all around. Also I'd make this a project if they can be bribed to cooperate, LOL! would like to see variations with more of the cat's face in silhouette.

Asher

 

[fahim mohammed]

Jarmo, I like the simplicity of it all. And the soft charm that it generates.

The bg just top of the cat attracts or detracts my attention towards it. I would like to be moved towards
the child slightly and unobtrusively.

As it said soft and enchanting.

Best regards.

 

[Asher Kelman]

The b.g. is dependent on the needs of the silhouette itself. First the the edge with whatever information or clues felt needed for its form. Then the b.g. to fit. In this case, the head of the cat is really in need of more definition. One can say that where the subjects are readily available and the subject is so delightful and worthy of extra effort.

Asher

 

[Jarmo Juntunen]

thank you all for your constructive ideas, I will take a closer look into the pic in a few days

 

[jake klein]

I love it! I really wish there was a tad of light on the cat, similar to the little girl, to give some depth/shape to the cat as well.

Was there any detail in the cat in the original?

 

[Robert Watcher]

I'm not one who normally provides my personal opinion on others photographic images - - - but I will express my viewpoint here.

Being known as a photographer, many of my friends show me their pictures and express their love for a shot based on things they see in the image. Many times I am not able to see what they are envisioning. I think that in many cases, a person's experience of being at the scene and knowing what was going on, allows them to see much more into the resulting photograph than what is actually there. I guess there may be an emotional investment there.

For me - that is the case here. I feel that you may be seeing and sensing elements in your photograph, that only you can relate to. I have tried to find something compelling with this image - but am not able to define anything in the photograph that does that for me. The problems for me are that the silhouette fails because their are no defining edges or shapes or definition to know really what the child is doing or even that it is a cat she has her hand on. As well the rest of the image is confusing and the eye is drawn there first - including the string that blends into the cats head. It feels to me also, that focus was missed. Perhaps a little more directing so that the child is turned into a side position and having the cat facing the front or face in profile, would have benefited.

Does it mean that the photograph has no value? No. If you are thrilled with it and if it satisfied the need that you felt when taking the shot - - - then it has value doesn't it. I hope that you take what I have said as something constructive that may be helpful to you in the future, and not as nitpicking or criticism.


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[Jarmo Juntunen]

Jake and Robert, thank you so much! Your thorough comment was a very pleasant and helpful read, Robert. I m travelling with the family and will get back to you guys latest Thursday.

 

[Jarmo Juntunen]

I'm not one who normally provides my personal opinion on others photographic images - - - but I will express my viewpoint here.

Being known as a photographer, many of my friends show me their pictures and express their love for a shot based on things they see in the image. Many times I am not able to see what they are envisioning. I think that in many cases, a person's experience of being at the scene and knowing what was going on, allows them to see much more into the resulting photograph than what is actually there. I guess there may be an emotional investment there.

For me - that is the case here. I feel that you may be seeing and sensing elements in your photograph, that only you can relate to. I have tried to find something compelling with this image - but am not able to define anything in the photograph that does that for me. The problems for me are that the silhouette fails because their are no defining edges or shapes or definition to know really what the child is doing or even that it is a cat she has her hand on. As well the rest of the image is confusing and the eye is drawn there first - including the string that blends into the cats head. It feels to me also, that focus was missed. Perhaps a little more directing so that the child is turned into a side position and having the cat facing the front or face in profile, would have benefited.

Does it mean that the photograph has no value? No. If you are thrilled with it and if it satisfied the need that you felt when taking the shot - - - then it has value doesn't it. I hope that you take what I have said as something constructive that may be helpful to you in the future, and not as nitpicking or criticism.


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Back home! No it's time to reply. I thank you all for your comments and ideas. It seems that most of the pictures I post here or other forums are about my family. Quite controversially, I usually don't like looking at other people's family album pictures. But still I like to share mine. I have no idea why. Perhaps for the simple reason that sometimes a good kid (dog, cat, anything goes) picture shows life at its' sweetest. And there's never too much of good feeling in the world.

Robert, I like your comment and find it useful. It's quite a different thing to shout "you're cr*p" on a web forum than being able to point out specific problems in a civilized manner. Needless to say you did the latter. And I thank you for that.

 

[Robert Watcher]

I usually don't like looking at other people's family album pictures. But still I like to share mine. I have no idea why.

That's funny - - - I'm the same way. LOL


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[Martin Stephens]

After looking 3 or 4 times, I am able to say something now. I do like this idea, and I do generally enjoy this picture. But there are some deal breakers in here for me. The bright blurry b/g demands to be the center of attention, when it ought not be. That is breaking 'the rules' - which is fine IF it works. Here, it doesn't. If that b/g was toned down and tamed, and the face was brightened just enough to read it a little more, this would be ever so much more pleasing.

There's an accessible story here. It's not tritely presented. It's using good photographic ideas, but maybe needs a touch more work to make it sing.