A quiet Moment

[Mick Johnson]

This is a photo of my Grandaughter reading a Wild Flower book at Ilam Hall Derbyshire.

It's a great area around Ilam for photography as you're right on the river Dove with the famous 'stepping stones' only a short walk away. It's particulary good in Autumn of course for landscapes etc.

I must admit though that I live pretty close so I took her and the book to take the photo.

[richard crowe]

Re: A quiet Moment

Good shot Mick. I like it. Has that ageless quality to it. I can quite easily imaging your grandaughter replaced bya young girl from a century ago in altoghter different garb, quietly reading. This may also look good in b&w.
Cheers
Richard

[Tinka]

Re: A quiet Moment

Hi,
I like this image a lot, and have to agree that it could be timeless, why not try to get the young lady to dress in historic garb and do a session, a lovely image all round.

[Guest]

Re: A quiet Moment

My first comment was 'Oh I like that' !! . Lovely picture well executed in every way lighting, exposure and positioning of the figure, not forgetting of course the choice of the red jacket to attract the eye. I found my eye moving on from the figure along the line of forms to the far door and back again along the line of the columns on the left. My kind of picture.

[Stephen]

Re: A quiet Moment

Let me say first that I like the picture. It shows all the usual elements of a picture that has been thought out, with correct exposure, depth of field and sharpness. With a subject to add some human interest and attract the eye.

Then I wonder about the light. It was taken on a wet dull day and consequently the light is flat and lacking in any sort of contrast. Consequently there seems little emotion or passion in the shot. On a sunny say we might expect to see light coming into this cloister type environment with shadows created by the pillars. This would add more visual interest and depth to the shot. I'm not bothered about seeing the girl in period costume, that would be too contrived imo. However i would have liked to have seen her a little less upright and posed if you see what I mean. Perhaps she could have been curled up on the bench reading the book, maybe on the second or third one, though I accept she is roughly on a third line. The camera position has been such that there has been no problem with the light, its an easy option Place the girl lower down and to get her on a third line would mean pointing the camera to the light more. This would mean altering the exposure to compensate and creating more shadow within the cloister.

[Mick Johnson]

Re: A quiet Moment

Thank's for the comments everyone.

It is taken under very dull conditions indeed but was sunny when I left home and I did intend taking it with and without the sunlight, cloud permitting.

I do intend going back to take it again under both conditions. I must say though that under dull conditions you do get to see all the detail in the stonework etc. Maybe I could of spend more time processing it as it's virtually straight off the camera.

I'm also taking a bigger book next time as I think it's got a bit lost.

[Mick Johnson]

Re: A quiet Moment

Had a bit of a play with it although a slightly different image. Maybe she looks a bit more relaxed in this one.

Maybe I've overdone as well.

[Mowgli]

Re: A quiet Moment

I love this picture, your eye just gets drawn in and then the mystery of what is inside the door!. Love the expression on your grandaughters face, she is deeply involved in that book!

Mowgli

[Tom]

Re: A quiet Moment

I like all the colours and her garb ensures she stands out as she should. I like the nice line of benches but would just have asked her to slide down to the near side of the bench she is on..

[Mick Johnson]

Re: A quiet Moment

I like all the colours and her garb ensures she stands out as she should. I like the nice line of benches but would just have asked her to slide down to the near side of the bench she is on..

Cheer's Tom, would you believe me if I said I'd asked her to move the other way so the arm of the bench was'nt covering her in any way.

I did however think about exactly what you are suggesting when I got back and looked at them.

I'm going back soon anyway to try a few more things.

[RCE]

Re: A quiet Moment

Great setting, only thing that doesn't feel right is the way she is sitting, the legs break the leading line.

Maybe try spinning her 90' anti-clockwise with feet flat on the bench, knees up, and book positioned just to (her) right of knees.

Hopefully then you will get a more relaxed feel, more detail on the book and her face (which will now be facing camera). I think this will also help the eye to flow through the picture.

Alan

[Stephen]

Re: A quiet Moment

Great setting, only thing that doesn't feel right is the way she is sitting, the legs break the leading line.

Maybe try spinning her 90' anti-clockwise with feet flat on the bench, knees up, and book positioned just to (her) right of knees.

Hopefully then you will get a more relaxed feel, more detail on the book and her face (which will now be facing camera). I think this will also help the eye to flow through the picture.

Alan

Indeed and this is not unlike my own suggestion made above

[Mick Johnson]

Re: A quiet Moment

Thank's for the comment Alan.