Kirsti Näntö-Salonen

May 2025 - The Adventurer

Original

About the Image(s)

”The Adventurer” was originally taken for a club project of story-telling portraits. I recruited the whole family for a photo session that turned wilder and wilder, with amazing props and poses, but this shot with a plastic snake was the one I liked best. I could see the moment when imagination took over, and the garish toy transformed to something out of Indiana Jones and Jungle Book. Fuji X-T4, 52.1 mm, f/4.5, 1/400 s, ISO 1600. - Limited light and a fast shutter speed for the constantly moving target allowed only a rather narrow depth of field, and when I first looked at the image I was disappointed that the face and the snake were both not in focus. Then I realized that maybe this actually was just right, leaving room for the story between them to grow. What do you think?

3 comments posted

Jeff Manser

Hi Kirsti - I really like this story-telling image. To me, the out-of-focus subject works really well and adds to the impact of the shot. His face shows pure concentration and I had no idea the snake was fake in part, due to the way he is looking at the snake. To my eye, the slight shadow behind the subject adds depth to the image. You might want to try a version with a slightly darker shadow to see how that looks. Regardless, very nice storytelling image! Posted: 05/07/2025 22:21:32

Kirsti Näntö-Salonen

Thank you, Jeff! I am glad if this works. The shadow is a good point - I'll try to darken it. Posted: 05/08/2025 11:05:05

Robert Cordivari

This is a nice capture. I didn't realize the snake was fake until I ready your description. I can see it in the color original but not in the processed image.

I could see this photo going in many directions - both the snake and the boy in focus, or either one of them. So this version works very well as is.

I see an inquisitive, young, fearless child who is in awe of the natural world.

Great storytelling photo, Kirsti! Posted: 05/12/2025 02:22:28

PID Digital Dialogue

Group 47