Hi Stephen, ballet is a great dance & musical show. You already mentioned problems in photo and I tried to re-edit. I congratulate you and your grandson to reach his full potential ballet career to be a danseur. Contrast & brightness are a bit high. Thanks for sharing.   Posted: 10/01/2021 01:58:09

You're right, Stephen, regarding more contrast. I prefer your rendition. The black heavy line in the background does not detract, but gives some "placement" to the boy's activity...... a dance studio.
  Posted: 10/03/2021 16:43:41

Indeed, the mirror frame creates a sense of "place", as Wes has pointed out, a very necessary component in creating a narrative.

As far as Contrast - well, as long as you all unleash yourself from the connection to PSA and Club competitions, and other restraining rules manifested by the PSA and many local photography groups - any particular aesthetic that balances the subject is 1. essential in helping to form a narrative, and 2. an artists vision: Art for art sake. (See latest topic in DD-83 Bulletin Board).

As it relates to the featured photograph, and the variety of comments (and edits), I can only suggest more time and patience in finding a position, lens choice and ultimate variations on framing behind the viewfinder could fine other, more inviting and engaging narratives of your grandson.

This all said, the featured work, in my opinion, reveals a very intimate and special time for you and your grandson as he goes through his stretching.   Posted: 10/04/2021 05:09:05

I agree that the outfit and the pose are both charming. Often in pictures of grandchildren, you see snapshots or standard cliche photos. This is different, interesting, and cropped well. The monochrome rendition is nice, and I like the crop. The mirror does provide context. As for contrast I'm going out on a limb here, but I think it's fine the way it is. Nicely done!   Posted: 10/10/2021 17:37:59

Your crop and contrast are both good. The area at the top shows us where it was taken. It is a charming image of your grandson. It is good that you have detail in his shirt. If you take some more image there, I would move more to your left, to have his right leg direct you more to his face.   Posted: 10/11/2021 11:28:37

Yes - a different family shot. I hope he never gets embarrassed at the fact that he did ballet when younger. It should keep him in good stead as he gets older if he carries on with some of the exercises. We tried to be gender neutral with our children, but sometimes, friends and situations impinge and they become much more fixed in their outlook. Our daughter can do all sorts of things perfectly well but since she doesn't enjoy some of them, she manages to manipulate male friends to do them for her. She learnt that technique from her Mum and Grandma! I like the way you can see his face under the arm and it is much better without the reflection on the floor. I am not sure whether it is better without the floor/mirror line. Maybe you could tone it down so it isn't quite so stark black?   Posted: 10/12/2021 07:03:22

I think it's so important for all kids to take lessons for swimming and some kind of movement--dance or gymnastics--one lets them move safely in the water, and the other lets them move better on the earth.
Of the 30 shots I took, this is the only one with a good view of his face, so I selected it.
I tried toning down the line. How is this?
  Posted: 10/16/2021 22:18:51

Nice image of a handsome young man.   Posted: 10/18/2021 19:21:35

I do like the image where you've toned down the baseboard/line, as the stark black in your original wants to compete for my attention with your intended subject. I think your contrast on the clothing is fine, but I would like to see his face just a little bit brighter.   Posted: 10/26/2021 00:02:21