Brad Becker
July 2024 - Grit
Original
Original 2
Original 3
About the Image(s)
This month's image is an image of my kids climbing on a trip a few years ago in Lake Tahoe. I always enjoy playing with size and juxtapositions. This one is a straightforward cut and paste with some texture added to the background image. Trying to decide if this one is better with just one kid in the image.
This round’s discussion is now closed!
9 comments posted
Hi Brad, this is terrific! It is obvious that winter has taken the children by surprise, and they are struggling to survive. I think that the leaf that fills the frame leaves just the right amount of the background visible although it is a pity to cover so much of the fine forest image. I think that the texture gives a feeling of snow in the air. The effective contrast of cold and warm colors, and the body language of your brave kids make the mood. - I think that there might be more tension in the image with only the boy who is also in a very good spot compositionwise? I like very much the present version, too - it makes a lovely story of companionship. Posted: 07/08/2024 19:15:05
Kirsti, Thanks for weighing in on this. The original version just had my daughter. I felt it was a little imbalanced so I added my son. Once I added him I thought about removing her and was afraid I might hear her ask something like "why did you take me out of the picture?" I think I will make two versions. Posted: 07/20/2024 01:07:23
Hi Brad, I like the feeling that this image has. The cold tones contrast nicely with the warm tones of the leaf, and the dramatic pose of the children complements the scene well.
My only concern is the blurriness of the leaf compared to the sharpness of the children. It seems they don't match, and I wonder how it would look if you matched the blur of the leaf with a bit of blur on the children Posted: 07/13/2024 06:50:42
My only concern is the blurriness of the leaf compared to the sharpness of the children. It seems they don't match, and I wonder how it would look if you matched the blur of the leaf with a bit of blur on the children Posted: 07/13/2024 06:50:42
Posted: 07/13/2024 06:52:52
Maria, Your suggestion is super helpful and solves the depth of field challenge that comes from cut and paste. Thanks! Posted: 07/20/2024 01:05:33
What a good idea to have Lilliputian children climbing a leaf. Their body positions fit the leaf as if they belong there. I agree with 2 comments above. One child might create more tension, and there's a bit too much variation of focus throughout. The snowy background highlights the last leaf of the season, but the fact that the trees reveal too much of a wide-angle lens effect is distracting. I have photographed a few "last leaves" but none as impactful as yours. Posted: 07/15/2024 12:48:51
Alan, Thanks for your comments. This certainly wasn't the last leaf of the season, although the yellow filter does help sell that. Posted: 07/20/2024 01:08:43
I love how you develop such imaginative images, Brad. I really admire your adventurous spirit and openness to unexpected combinations.
The leaf's detail and color are really gorgeous.
I think your title really captures the spirit of the children. They are clearly climbing rather than simply clinging on. Personally, I think it would work better with one rather than both, unless the two were interacting somehow.
I think the background is beautiful; it's wonderfully soft. I really like the texture. It might be interesting to see the texture applied to the center of the image as well, which would help to tie them together.
To me, the background feels disconnected with the central part of the image, which has such saturated gold color and is mostly in crisp detail.
I experimented with a Topaz Glow filter on the background that felt relevant to me to the leaf's patterns. I thought it might be interesting.
Posted: 07/18/2024 19:29:41
The leaf's detail and color are really gorgeous.
I think your title really captures the spirit of the children. They are clearly climbing rather than simply clinging on. Personally, I think it would work better with one rather than both, unless the two were interacting somehow.
I think the background is beautiful; it's wonderfully soft. I really like the texture. It might be interesting to see the texture applied to the center of the image as well, which would help to tie them together.
To me, the background feels disconnected with the central part of the image, which has such saturated gold color and is mostly in crisp detail.
I experimented with a Topaz Glow filter on the background that felt relevant to me to the leaf's patterns. I thought it might be interesting.
Posted: 07/18/2024 19:29:41
Peggy, Thanks for your kind words and helpful suggestions. I do think the image is stronger with just my son and the bathing bright colored bathing suit my daughter is wearing doesn't fit the scene Posted: 07/20/2024 01:12:20