You all blew me away!!!! Talk about some terrific work. Let’s dig in.
Our first entry is from stphoto…and it says it all.
The Sitter
Dye and responsibility are the protagonists in my book. A beautiful story of Americana life.
Next…
Renae…untitled
The color, the texture, the light and the egg. A simple yet extremely effective narrative.
Karma
The Moment
In your email, Karma, you mentioned that you had wished the image was clearer. I disagree. It is perfect as is. The soft quality and noise lend a timeless tone and enhance the tender image that much more. One of your best shots ever!
KD
Loss
What a great conceptual approach to telling a story. Many commercial photographers look to tell such stories. The use of light on the glass is quite nice.
Jenfer – untitled
I really like this journalist approach to a classic family scene. The dogs scattered. The boy seriously studying the TV. The girls look at the man who owns the legs. You wonder what is being discussed. Why the boy although in the middle is trying desperately not to be in the middle. The dogs oblivious to what is happening. The image really draws you in. Well done!
IvoryHut – from a far sent one in!!!! Untitled
Urgh…I am so jealous. Ivoryhut, you dazzle and stun me every-time. The city…the lamp…his bliss, her passive acceptance all say so much.
MusicMaven
New Orleans
Another great journalistic approach. The composition of the band dancers and crowd is just super. The moment you chose is just dynamite. Staying with a subject to get that one frame when the man’s leg is at the top of the kick is crucial to the drama in this image. Brilliant capture.
Shrewspeaks
Wednesday at Jade Garden
Everyone please take a moment to comment on each other’s stories. Really great work! Not a clinker in the bunch!
NEXT CHALLENGE – Due May 19
The economy – interpret as you will.
Shrew's Daily Shutters 
Oh, wow! I loved this challenge!! I loved it so much I am going to break the rules and comment from work. (shhhhhhh!)
Scott – you couldn’t possibly have clicked at a better moment – love the look on the sitter’s face!
Renae- you know I love that one – car or no car.
Karma – love it. Your husband can be a brusque guy, but he has such a soft spot for his kids. Poor kiddo – glad she is feeling better now!
KD – wow, very depressing but in an excellent photography kind of way!
Hut – holy shamoley!! That is a fabulous, startling image. That’s like National Geographic good. Outstanding!
MM – fabulous!! Makes me want to jump right into that scene with the carefree dancers.
Shrewbie – niiiiice! Love the slice of life approach, talk about journalistic. So, was this a sneak attack photo with your telephoto?
Mine – shrewbie, you are right on track. I am sure my 16-year-old nephew would rather be somewhere else, but sitting there on Easter watching the Masters wasn’t necessarily so bad! I was trying to get a decent image of my dog with my SIL’s puppies who were visiting, but the puppies squirmed too much. I liked this one though, and I am glad I got down low to get it.
I asked if I could take a photo. The woman at the desk took me literally, so after one click she insisted “you done, take food and go now.” I was not as pleased with the focus quality, but I was glad I captured something. At least the salamander oven is in focus.
I agree – what a great variety of stories are told here!
Scott – I also love her face! My own face must look like that on a regular basis as both a mother and a teacher! 😉
Renae – had a preview of Nae’s shots a few days ago, and she definitely had wonderful “tails” of Easter day. I would’ve loved to see your little guy’s face just a little more though.
KD – so many stories to be imagined here. Some that could hit close to home.
Jen – knowing this family as I do, I can really imagine how noisy a scene this probably really was! Puppies barking, people being called stinkheads…
Hut – I imagine a story of young lovers. Your shot really makes you think about where your life is and where its going.
MM – love the obvious joy here. Great catch!
Shrew – I love your ability to fearlessly capture mankind. You have a gift.
Me – I almost didn’t have an entry to this challenge. Unfortunate that it took Sarcoldav getting sick for me to get one!
Pingback: Topics about Silence-day » Archive » Comment on Story Challenge Results by karma
I agree! What a variety! lol
Scott–your photo makes me glad we skipped the Easter egg coloring for the first time ever! That look is way too familiar! Love the exchange here…look at his little grin! lol Great use of wide angle.
Renae–I love your framing! The texture on the tree is fantastic.
Karma–What a sweet capture. I agree that the grain works here. It reminds me of those old 70’s photos, which are so nostalgic.
Jen–I love this story! I feel like I’m sitting in the room with them, thanks to the angle you chose to shoot from. Well done!
Ivory—–Dangit all Woman!!! Why do you have to make me feel so darned AMATEUR!!! LOL This is phenomenal!! Love the story, the framing, the subject, the background, the postprocessing….this is art my Friend. Hurry back by the way….we miss you!
MM—LOve love love the capture of the legs!!! What an awesome scene! I feel the energy coming through the photograph. SO glad you got that new camera…it deserves you.
Shrew—you already know how much I like this photo! I envy your ability to approach perfect strangers and capture their essence in a moment. I’m still such a chicken. 🙂
And all, please don’t read too much into my photo. It was heartbreaking using Zan’s ring as a prop for this…I almost deleted the photos because it crunched me to imagine his ring being left behind in the bottom of a whiskey glass at a bar. 😦 I was all teary just taking the danged photos! LOL The ring went right back on his finger where it belonged afterwards…Scotch makes a very good gold polish by the way! 😉
Have to say that I am impresses at how different these all are, yet all seem to have told “the story”.
Scott’s photo is so identifiable that it invokes immediate recognition.
Renae’s photo seems to say, “Catch me if you can, Munchkin”
Karma’s photo captured a father’s love…’nuff said.
KD’s photo breaks your heart.
Jen’s photo conveys that frenzied “holiday” feeling.
And, Ivory’s photo…well. I HATE that it’s next to mine because it shows how inferior mine really is. That photo tells so many stories and makes me wonder what was going on here. Leaving? Coming home? Fighting? Making up? Just sitting? Great shot.
I think mine conveys the fun and frolic of New Orleans.
And Shrew’s…I can almost smell the fried rice and the sounds of mandarin coming from the kitchen.
Great job folks. I feel like I’m getting a little better at this through challenges like these.
Hi Gang!
Scott:
What kind of lens did you use? Every single object in this photo is crystal stinkin’ clear. How did you do that??
Karma:
OMG, this is the sweetest photo. A papa bear comforting his sick little cub.
KD:
I immediately admired the lighting in this photo, but I have to admit how stoooopid I am and that I didn’t quite get the story until you explained it. Now I am even more impressed by it. That was very clever storytelling.
Jenfer:
I like how you can only see a pair of feet, yet the girls are looking towards the owner of those feet and it makes me want to know the conversation.
Hut:
Wow. And Wow. Your processing skills are right ON the mark. And what a capture. MM is right…it makes me SO want to know what they were doing.
MM:
What a beautiful New Orleans day! My eye went from the band, to the woman and leg kicker, then down the street to the great angle of the buildings.
Shrewbie:
As far as the focus quality you mentioned, I think it totally adds to the shot. We can feel the movement and quick hustle and bustle that was going on in the kitchen.
Mine:
I had about 2.1 seconds to get ready and take the shot before the kids spotted the eggs in the tree. The other three tree shots I managed to get were completely out of focus, and unfortunately I liked the composition on those much better. Oh well. And this was my other shot I was considering submitting:
Gheez, and I guess I should have entitled them both. Ummm…Egg Hunt?
Hello from the other side of the world! 🙂 I’m so glad I was able to make the deadline for this challenge. And boy, what a challenge it was.
Scott: I love that expression you captured! That look says it all.
Renae: Excellent “picture in a picture” there. And to think that this was a rushed shot. You timed it perfectly. I really like how the little guy is framed by the tree.
Karma: Such a tender moment there. I agree with Shrew – the noise actually gives it character. Almost like a stolen glance.
KD: What can I say. That was perfectly staged. Gripping visual there.
Jenfera: What Shrew said. Such a slice-of-life photo that leads your eye around the shot to examine every single character and detail.
MM: Not only do I love the perfect timing of that shot, but my goodness, that light! Especially in the background, the softness against the architecture. So lovely.
Shrew: You know I envy your talent for photographing strangers in such a compelling way. Love the look on his face there.
Thanks everyone for the comments on my photo. I was on a photowalk with my cousin’s husband when I spotted the couple. The first shot I took was so hurried that I didn’t realize there was this ugly railing cutting right across the photo. The shot you see was the second one I took, and the third and last one I took had him laughing and pulling away as he realized he was being photographed. I was so glad I didn’t have shutter-finger-paralysis this time.
Great work, everyone!
Shrew after all the conversation about what makes a story-telling photograph I was looking forward to what everyone would send in. I am totally impressed at how everyone told their stories. Was anyone thinking of the techniques they were using? I am guessing no but through reading and practice, it all came second hand to the story unfolding or purposely set before their cameras.
Renae: natural framing with shallow depth of field but not enough so you couldn’t tell there was a someone there heading towards the sharp focused egg on an Easter egg hunt.
Karma: Showing the special bond between a father and his daughter. Yes, as a father of two daughters, this touched me deeply. Thank you.
KD: You’re photographic eye is getting better and better. Well planned, well presented, technically sound and hard hitting.
Jenfer: Family life in a fraction of a second. The low angle is what creates the energy and the eyes of the subjects lead you around. Only think you need to work on is better lighting of a big area. Something that is hard to do with moving subjects like the dogs.
IvoryHut: A travel and/or photojournalistic view of a beautiful place with beautiful, warm people. The treatment emphasizes the warmth of the place and the couple. Good choice!
MM: You caught the action at it’s peak and made the photo far more interesting than if the dancer’s feet were both on the ground. My only suggestion would be to take photos from all angles when you come upon such a scene. From behind the dancers towards the band and visa vesa. Get in low, high and in close.
Shrew: She does look a bit stern at you. I laughed at the One photo and you’re done comment. I’ve gotten that, too. Probably a photographer in the past overstayed his welcome before you. Reminds me of the Soup Nazi from Senfield. 🙂
Whoops…forgot about mine!
I’ve been reading up on off-camera flash using Nikon’s Creative Lighting System and took this opportunity to use it.
The flash is camera left and shooting up at the ceiling to bounce evenly over the room. I used the Nikon 18-200VR lens at 18mm and aperture of 4.5. Shooting at a wide angle still gives it plenty of depth of field to cover most of the room. I shot at the level of the boys sitting at the table so you get a feel for what they look up at when the sitter is, well, being a sitter. 🙂