Dreamy nite... Photo

Photographer’s Note

I wonder why grown up people tend to get together to speak and laugh out loud. They seem to be happy down there and I wish I could be laughing with them. But they do not see me, and I don’t fully understand the reasons behind their laughs.

The privilege of being a child is that we can easily be forgotten by adults. Unfortunately it is sometimes a calvary rather than a privilege.

This photograph was taken during the festivities of the first of august, which is the Swiss national day. The little girl is my daughter. She had been playing around all evening, and suddenly felt the urge of sitting quietly, waiting for the fireworks to start. We can’t see her face but she had a dreamy smile while waiting. And I had a dreamy smile while looking at her.

chantal, Hanssie, Spoony, Oldtree, robiuk, kikvel, hispic, ale, Bogdan, sohrab, Brian has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

chantal (936) 2004-10-01 14:56

La photo est très expressive et on arrive à se mettre à la place de la fillette du haut de son talus, comtemplant la foule des adultes à ses pieds. Je trouve que le choix du N/B est judicieux d'autant plus que la photo a été prise le soir.

kikvel (4772) 2004-10-01 15:00

the PP is a bit strong to me Gal, but I like the mood of the picture

well expressed!

K.

Hanssie (9133) 2004-10-01 15:16

We indeed cannot see her face, but the picture is really a sweet one, great composed with her arms on her knees looking into the party.
Great !

Spoony (3539) 2004-10-01 15:43

Fantastic overall effect! First time I saw this pic I didn´t get it... but now I adore! ;)
Thanks for sharing this moment.
Spoony.

RGatward (19751) 2004-10-01 16:38

I've seen her before, she's a very obliging model. Great idea for a shot of the event, and an interesting perspectie in the note.

Oldtree (2457) 2004-10-01 17:39

Hi Gal, nice to see a new posting from you. By reading your note and seeing your picture many thoughts are going around in my head, but it is difficult to wright all that down. All in all I can say that I understand so well your note and If I could I would give you points for your note as well as your picture.

robiuk (10763) 2004-10-01 17:50

Welcome back Gal, after some time of absence!
I'm glad you posted this truly deep photo. Seems like adults are awaiting for the firework as well, but who's interested in them when you put your girl in the foreground and made us see this scene from her POV.
Yes, I also share Kikvel's opinion on postprocessing but also have to point out that it works very well, especially in this type of shots - when lights are blurry and the skies are wide enough to embrace all our (or at least your daughter's) dreams.

pridel (233) 2004-10-01 17:54

Gal, j'adore cette petite fille contemplative dans sa belle robe. quelque chose d'attendrissant. on a vraiment envie de s'asseoir à côté d'elle et de regarder les gens en bas. peut être qu'elle confiera ses pensées.
très belle photo.
félicitations
Pascal

MiguelP (14338) 2004-10-01 18:16

Hi Gal, you portrait the little person we were once. Yes, she represents us, or almost me, becuase I can remember myself like this. I´m not going to critize something that´s OK, I´m just going to enjoy it. Thanks from Madrid.

Proxilva (2157) 2004-10-02 4:03

Hi Gal...
what a great moment you've captured here... i like the idea and the coposition. the only think is that it's a bit difficult to see the child sitting... maybe abit more distance and another angle would give more ofthe idea of a sitting child...
When i first saw this i thought ooooh ofcourse it october, Gal slips into his lederhosen and has been celebrating the octoberfest that is also somewhere in that corner of the world ;)...
good weekend

flydragon (0) 2004-10-02 4:19

Bonjour Gal
voila une belle image
pleine de tendresse
un moment émouvant que nous
avond tous vécu etant enfant
être a l'eccart des adultes et les observer
une tres belle photo Gal, tres sensible ,o)
bravo
••simfly••

ale (1819) 2004-10-03 5:42

Salut Gal,
this is a so sweet shot!! I love the pov you chose, your daughter is beautiful from behind too...great moment ;-)

Bogdan (1641) 2004-12-09 15:54

I first commented on this, but forgot to hit 'add' . Very gifted photographer and caring father, you are(like Master Yoda would say...hehe). I belive this to be close to HCB..but it's just my oppinion..
Personally, i would have shot it from a greater distance, but you had to stay close -- you are her father..
The lights look like giant fireflies that guard the border to the adult life.
May she never tire of looking at the beauties of the world..

Bogdan.

sohrab (7423) 2004-12-10 16:32

ahhhh
nice one gal
hmmm just saw mr tutu's critique
to me it looks more like one of eugene smith's photographs, perhaps because even he used to take a lot of photographs of his children :)..

technically i think youve handled the light here very well , though it's a little tough to make out the handing of the light here compared to colour
a very nice shot gal
take care :)

p.s. i see a little blur around your daughter's head. is it because of the slow shutter speed or because of some post production
also could you tell me what iso you set your camera on ? :)