Janet DiMattia  


Child Holding Baby Terrapins by Janet DiMattia

November 2021 - Child Holding Baby Terrapins

About the Image(s)

Taken last spring at a Audubon facility soon after the first hatchlings of Terrapins were found. They were kept in a terrarium for observation a short time and to allow children to observe them closely and handle them if they liked.
Nikon P7100 indoors with overhead lighting from ceiling lights at S1/25 sec, f/3.5, ISO 400.


This round’s discussion is now closed!
7 comments posted




 
How adorable they are! A shame that the focus on the turtles was not as sharp as you may have wanted. It is an interesting image and great idea to shoot them in a child's hands!   Posted: 11/19/2021 09:50:14



Dick States   Dick States
(Group 65)
I feel this is one of those emotional moments of a very special time when we all shoot many pictures. It tells a story for you and those that were at this occasion. This is one of those images we call a record shot.
I think you have two subjects that could make a great image if they were segregated off by themselves in a natural setting maybe on a log or a stone, then do a close-up of them. To my eye the baby terrapins need to take up much more of the image. Most of the image are the hands which to my eye are a major distraction with another person in the background. I don't feel the turtles are sharp. I think you had great subjects but would need the time to set up a really great shot in a natural setting.   Posted: 11/19/2021 16:01:30



Charissa Lansing   Charissa Lansing
Hi Janet, This is a moving, sweet shot for me, seeing those child's hands cradle the baby terrapins! I love the story-telling power of this one.

Perhaps capturing this with the camera positioned above and directly behind the child's shoulder may have avoided including part of another person in the background.

I do understand Dick's point about creating a close-up of the terrapins segregated off by themselves, but I love the special moment that you captured. Thank you!   Posted: 11/23/2021 08:29:32



 
I agree with Dick's comments. Beside the issue of the turtles being out of focus, the hands are taking a large part of the image area and the photo. I see two possibilities to explore: (a) to frame the photo to retain only the turtles and less of the hands. But there are two limits : The turtles are already out of focus and that could make this cropping even worse, and if the size of the photo is less than 20 mega pixels, the cropped photo could be deteriorated (pixelised). Or (b), if there is no choice than keeping the child's hands, the hands should not be cut off. We would need to see them entirely (zooming out or back up slightly), But the drawback is that the turtles would be too small and would not be the main subject.
Using Photoshop, it would not be difficult to erase traces of the person behing and his hand. That could reduce the eyes's distrations.   Posted: 11/23/2021 11:52:02



Super cute little tortoise, very nice pet   Posted: 11/25/2021 01:07:33
 
Thank you ALL for your comments. Many good suggestions to think about.
My original reason for taking this 'snap shot' was to share it with the child's family.
The young terrapins were headed to the lab for examination and marking - then to be returned to the environment as soon as possible. The child was able to watch them being released.
Hope everyone had a pleasant Thanksgiving Holiday.
Janet
  Posted: 11/26/2021 08:26:42



James Silliman   James Silliman
It is obvious the child is very timid in the handling of precious examples of Mother Nature. The fact that the child was able to be at the release makes the experience even more meaningful.   Posted: 11/29/2021 17:44:34