The Street Fair's for Kids too Photo

Photographer’s Note

At the street fair, there is one of those inflatable jumping things filled with screeching kids and there is a llama ride. This little girl was being a good sport. She was with a man and a two year old boy. The man was obviously crazy about the younger child; talking in loving, excited tones, standing very close and snapping pictures. The boy was small so it seemed reasonable that the man should stay close to him. As the ride neared the end, the man spoke to the little girl saying, "We've got to get some pictures of you too," but his enthusiasm seemed forced. This shot was taken at the beginning of the ride; I didn't see what happened about the picture taking. But now as I look at the picture, the girl's eyes seem sad. What do you think: stepfather or just new baby? Check out the WS for more data.

Update: I like Ricardo's and Wes's stories better than mine: The remote look is because she's imagining herself a princess riding along on her steed.

PP: I was shooting these as they moved along between the ugly background of motor vehicles, so I did my decrease noise thing for the background, described here and also darkened it slightly to minimize the background. also convert from RAW to jpeg

pablominto, xuaxo, aloyho, aznegrao, ktanska, josepmarin, Henryk_Bilor, singuanti, gunbud trouve(nt) cette note utile

Critiques | Translate

pablominto (41104) 2006-05-16 1:50

Hello Patricia,
Interesting framing... nice composition!
Pleasant colours and details...
Nice impression from this unusual image!
Greetings,
Pablo -

weswang (18223) 2006-05-16 1:59

Hi Pat, I think the expression of the little girl was about the same as the llama she was riding: serious expression and in a handling business mood. I think the look of the girl was a little proud. It is hard to say that she was sad. A well taken picture with good details and nice contrast.

xuaxo (5799) 2006-05-16 2:09

Good morning from Portugal!
Hi Pat,
The girl may be not happy; it seems she is forcing a pose for picture. But in this single shot is difficult to get a complete idea.
Who is certainly not so happy, it's the llama.
The focus and details are amazing.
Francisco

snuggleaphagus (4140) 2006-05-16 2:22

Your note made a bit sad. The photo is really great it shows a little girl with self assurance and confidence, she has great poise and seems quite proud of her self she is quite elegant. The llama is also great and it fits well with the little girl, I always thought llamas looked elegant.
I do wish there was a bit more room in front of the llama but sometimes it can'tbe helped.

aloyho (6109) 2006-05-16 3:09

Hi Patricia,
There is a lot of energy in this tight composition as the girl and the Ilama are being pulled to the sides of the frame. But luckily you have the background figure to form a stable triangle and holding the elements in place. Good lighting control and clarity. A daring composition!! Have a pleasant day.

riclopes (33115) 2006-05-16 3:59

Hi Patricia,
I'm not sure about her eyes, but the portrait is lovely and she looks proud on that lama, with a pose of a queen. Well captured and composed. Good crop. Very well done!
TFS,
Ricardo

Angshu (33975) 2006-05-16 5:35

Super portrait Pat with excellent sharpness. Great framing. The facial expression of the girl is priceless
Regrads
Angshu

juusor (141) 2006-05-16 6:27

Wow! What a wonderful "portrait" of that girl! The llama balances the frame nicely as they are both looking on left. The llama's tired look also creates nice contrast to the temperamentic attitude/expression of the girl!
Best wishes from Finland, Juuso

ktanska (16695) 2006-05-16 7:19

Hi Patricia,
You got me into this guessing game too. I think she is simply excited and unsure of this new experience. At least she reminds me a lot of my niece on a pony ride. Cute shot anyway.
I think crop is a bit tight leaving center a bit emptyish. But the background tells more about the local market scene you described.
Kari

aznegrao (10246) 2006-05-16 7:21

Essa imagem ilustra bem ofascicio das crianças pelos animais, otima expressão Patricia.
Greetings.
Friend.
aznegrao.

josepmarin (33965) 2006-05-16 11:35

Hi Patricia,
This one is a likeable image with a charming youngster who has a precious glance, riding on a llama, that he is not very habitual in California.
Very a well caught photo, I like foreground with great sharpness, his background OOF, its beautiful colors and their good lighting.
Done very well.
Regards,
Josep

Henryk_Bilor (20367) 2006-05-16 14:31

Hello Patricia
I like the colours at the photo. Interesting capture and your note. But I`m not sure if the eyes of the girl are sad ;).
Regards

elmec (12194) 2006-05-16 17:56

Hello Patricia!
Great scene you find!
Very good composed and framed!
Congratulations!

singuanti (15240) 2006-05-16 22:57

Hi Patricia. I think you're right I do detect a slight amount of sadness on the girl's expression. Whatever you did to get rid of cars in the background was a good thing and I see no noise. Nice shot Pat.

gebala (0) 2006-05-17 7:37

hello, she looks so proud here, I like her position and cropping Pat:) nice colours, dont u think that too much neat image?
rgs and kiss

Norok (200) 2006-05-20 16:14

Très belle photo
Bravo
Posted WS
Marius

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feather (49976) 2006-06-07 11:00

How come I missed this one??
Before reading your note I thought she had a kind of superior look on her face. After reading the note it could be an "I don't care if you prefer him" look. Her look in the WS is slightly different with a wistfulness about it. Ricardo's and Wes' theories make us feel more comfortable, but I'm not so sure.....Riding a llama is certainly an exciting thing to do and I think you have captured a great moment.
Kath

gunbud (28071) 2008-01-03 20:06

Hi Pat,
Very good portrait of the lovely little girl atop the white llama. I agree she does look a bit sad especially while enjoying a ride she does not get every day. Very clear crisp colors with wonderful skin tones and striking blue eyes.
Regards, Tom