A Nurse with a Gun

Saturday, May 09, 2009

Father and Son

Father and son

Nikon D-200, 70-210mm ƒ4

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posted by Xavier at 2:42 PM

7 Comments:

Blogger Conant said...

If you cropped this to lose the out of focus lady in the striped blouse (just to the right of the father's L elbow) you would have a much better composition...

7:35 PM  
Anonymous dave said...

5/9/08-I have been reading your blog since I "Googled" and bought a clean Smith and Wesson Model 19 2+1/2" blued in the box with waxed paper wrapper, tools and instructions about 6 months ago for what I thought was a good deal (no buyers remorse)
Thanks to you I am also thinking about buying a real camera with lenses
Any suggestion- Kids in sports and as much as $1000.00 +/-

7:55 PM  
Blogger Xavier said...

Conant, I tried that, and found that i liked it better with her in it. The blue cap lady right behind the main subjects provides a visual direction to the left that is hard to overcome. Trying to photoshop her out was beyond my capabilities. The striped shirt woman provides a bit of visual "reward" if the viewer's eye travels there due to the blue cap lady. Plus, they both give a sense of place.

Dave, I'm not familiar enough with all the new gear to make an informed recommendation. If you have old manual lenses (or auto focus ones) make sure to buy a camera that can use them. If you do not, I advise a Nikon or Canon.

Nikon tends to have superior glass, while Canon seems to have more advanced electronics. I advise you to consider what is called a "prosumer" grade, which is a step above a consumer grade body, but still below a pro body. I also strongly advise going digital with a body that will accept manual lenses. Film will, I'm afraid, go the way of the dinosaur soon.

Ken Rockwell (his site is linked in my sidebar) is very knowledgeable, has tried many of the new stuff, and gives an honest unbiased opinion. I strongly advise a trip to his website for research.

With a couple of decent zoom lenses you are on your way..... in DX digital, a 18-70 and a 70-210 and maybe a fast fifty prime lens and you are set. For sports photography you will want a 70-210 or 70 -300 zoom with a fast apreture, as well as a body with a fast shutter. These are attainable now in your price range. If you chose wisely, and have a camera that accepts manual lenses, shop Adorama or BH Photo for used equipment. Ebay as well.

8:23 PM  
Blogger Conant said...

I see your point about the blue cap lady. In the old days I'd darken her some by burning in while printing. I think photoshop has a similar tool, as well as one that would let you soften the focus on her so she blended into the rest of the background. I think the strength of this photo is the crisp image of the interaction between the father and son. My sense its that the rest is a distraction.

But it's your picture.

6:56 AM  
Blogger Xavier said...

Looks like I may be in the market for a stronger photo editor then!

Suggestions?

7:16 AM  
Anonymous StrandedInIowa said...

Xavier,
There are variations of emotions going on that you captured: the father's interest in the speaker in contrast to the son's boredom and the striped woman's concern or worried look compared to the possible disinterest with the woman in the cap.

With the assumption that this was taken at a Tea Party, to me, the transition from out of focus concern/worry to the calm reserve of the father and boredom of son, brings me to the thought that "yeah, we're going to make it through this." I like this one.

Of course, this is my opinion and your mileage may vary.

10:25 AM  
Blogger Xavier said...

I kind of got tht feeling too SII. This was taken at a Tea Party, and the restof the people kind of give a sense of place.

I like the "standing in line" aspect of it as well, and i can't help but think of some of the photos of the people being loaded on the trains in Nazi Germany.

1:34 PM  

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