Hatrack River Forum: Opinions wanted on a photograph

This is topic Opinions wanted on a photograph in forum Books, Films, Food and Culture at Hatrack River Forum.

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Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :

I'm going through a bunch of family photos and trying to decide which ones to pull out and scrapbook. Time consuming, but fun.

My mom snapped some pics of the kids last summer and I found one of Abigail I absolutely loved. What I can't decide is whether to print it in color or black and white, whether to crop it or leave it full size. So I figured you guys would give me some good opinions.

full size color version

cropped black and white

To keep this from being entire self-serving, feel free to post any photos that you've found recently that you love. [Smile]

Edit: It would be nice if I could type well enough to spell my own child's name right.

Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :

Fabulous picture, and I like it both ways. Sorry, but I cannot be of help. [Smile]

Posted by El JT de Spang (Member # 7742) on :

I actually like door #3, cropped full size.

I definitely would stay color though, because of the red, blue, and green in the photo. It's visually appealing.

Posted by Xavier (Member # 405) on :

I say color all the way. No question.

Not sure how I feel about cropping it though.

Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :

Okay here is a color cropped version

Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :

Absolutely go with the color. And yes, please post a cropped color for comparison purposes. [Smile]

Posted by Crotalus (Member # 7339) on :

That's a great picture. I vote for the color, full size version.

Posted by Beren One Hand (Member # 3403) on :

Color, no cropping.

The color is absolutely beautiful in this picture. Green trees, red dress, white skin. Perfect. Her slight blushing is really cute. [Smile]

I prefer the non-cropped picture because it accentuates the fact that she's a little girl in a big, big world. [Smile]

Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :

Color, cropped.

Beautiful picture!!

Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :

As I think about it, I would crop it, just not as closely as the B&W was. I like having an even green frame around her. But the amount of green there at the moment is excessive.

Posted by Xavier (Member # 405) on :

I agree, I think the original should be cropped, but not so much.

Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :

thanks guys.

My mom has gotten really, really good with her photos of the kids. She has a knack of catching them when they're not posing. Abigail is her favorite subject because she is disdainful of the camera - she doesn't particularly care if you take her picture or not so it's easy to catch her more natural. The other kids clown for the camera or avoid it like the plague.

Although, Mom loves this "pensive look" with Abigail so much, I have very few photos of Abigail smiling!

Posted by Katarain (Member # 6659) on :

I would probably play around with leaving the eyes in color, but everything else in black and white. Just to see how it looked.

Posted by Megan (Member # 5290) on :

I love the color version (like everyone else! [Big Grin]

). And Belle, that is one beautiful daughter you have.

Posted by Olivet (Member # 1104) on :

Wow, she's so cute! It's been forever since I've seen your kids! [Frown]

Plus, I agree with most everyone -- keep the color, and crop it a bit.

Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :

Yeah, I prefer it uncropped as well. The background is an important part of the picture.

Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :

I always think eyes in color/everything else black and white pictures look like freaky possesed demon children. Or bad sci-fi movie effects. I know some people like it, but I've just totally never understood why.

So, yeah. My vote would be against that one. [Wink]

Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :

*muttergrumble* I like them all. [Razz]

EVEN the black and white one. But I'm biased.

And yes, your mom is really getting good, Belle. [Smile]

I'd go with the not so cropped and color. You want the green in there (with the nice blurring for the nice depth of field to make Abigail pop out) but when it's a lot of that green, it overwhelms the arresting nature of Abigail and her eyes.

Posted by Katarain (Member # 6659) on :

Okay then, maybe Abigail in color, and the background in black and white.

I also like those painted black and white pictures.

Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :

Because I feel like bragging on my mom, here are some photos of the kids in the creek at the park near our house:

Emily in the creek

Daniel really needed a haircut in this one

This ones not in the creek, it was taken the day of her dance recital

yet another unsmiling Abigail

Posted by Treason (Member # 7587) on :

She's almost smiling there...
They are all adorable!

Posted by Christy (Member # 4397) on :

Belle, it depends on how you are scrapbooking. I find that it is harder to scrapbook black and white photos unless you are going for a theme. That said, I do like it black and white, but I would photoshop to sharpen her and fade the background a bit.

I'll add my vote to color, slightly less cropped.

What great photos!

Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :

Color, cropped.

(Anyone else notice the resemblance to River? What's she going as for Halloween?)

Posted by KarlEd (Member # 571) on :

I'm totally late on my opinion, I guess, but I like the B&W cropped best.

My reasons are that what I find most attractive about the photo is the expression in her eyes and mouth. Color detracts from these, IMO. In the color one you see beautiful blue eyes. In the B&W one the focus is totally on the expression of the face without the destraction of the color. It comes across as a much deeper representation of her personality (what I perceive it to be, of course) .

Posted by ludosti (Member # 1772) on :

They are all beautiful versions, Belle, which makes it hard to choose. My favorite would probably be color, somewhere inbetween the original size and the cropped size (probably just making her centered in the picture).

Your mom really has some greats shots! No wonder you want to brag about her!

Posted by Mariann (Member # 8724) on :

I like the color one, since she has such beautiful eyes. The cropped version would probably look great too.

~M

Posted by Father Time (Member # 7985) on :

I like both of the cropped versions.

What a doll! Very photogenic.

Good stuff

Posted by RackhamsRazor (Member # 5254) on :

my goodness-what a beautiful picture. Beautiful little girl too. I definately like the color full size.

Posted by human_2.0 (Member # 6006) on :

The cropped image looks better because it obeys the rule of thirds better:

http://www.betterphoto.com/exploring/tips/thirds.asp

http://photoinf.com/General/NAVY/Subject_and_Rule_of_Thirds.htm (funny page, but still good info)

Posted by human_2.0 (Member # 6006) on :

I should add, the depth of field is marvelous, the way the background is so blurry. As is the lighting. Unbelievable shots!

Posted by Miriya (Member # 7822) on :

I really like the pensive look in black and white. On the other hand losing the crystal blue eyes is a pretty big sacrifice. So I guess it would depend on what else I was scrap booking with.

I like both uncropped. It's a beautiful shot.

Posted by whiskysunrise (Member # 6819) on :

You could do both. The black and white and color. That can work when scrapbooking. If you are just going to do one or the other, I would crop the color one just a little.

Posted by jeniwren (Member # 2002) on :

I would go with both uncropped color and the cropped black and white, on the same page. I could really see a great 12x12 with both, especially if you tilt one and keep the other one level. Matt with contrasting color for the color shot but gray for the black and white, and then do your journalling on a gray sheet atop a color matt.

The other shots are beautiful too. I love the one of Emily.

Posted by Askew (Member # 8438) on :

Nice pic and subject!
Depends on your purpose. For a family scrapbook I would choose a less cropped color. The b/w is more artsy. If you have an artsy family and scrap book the b/w would be better.
Now if you want to cheat, print both and put one under the other and switch them occasionally.
The choice for those who can't choose.

Posted by imogen (Member # 5485) on :

What lovely photos (and lovely children [Smile]

) - your Mother is a great photographer Belle.

I like the colour one. Fantastic colours.

Posted by Troubadour (Member # 83) on :

Hey Belle, I've done up a *very* quick photo retouch on both the images, so you can see what improvements a little colour-correction can do. If you'd like to take a look, email me!