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Response to Portrait of Parents

from John Kantor (jkantor@mindspring.com)
This may be correctly exposed and printed, but it's not a very good picture from any other standpoint. While I expect that looking at this picture reminds you of a number of nice things about them, they look like a very dour and unpleasant couple to those who don't know them (no matter how much diffusion you used), and I doubt that was your intent.

Even a naturalistic portrait requires some thought about composition, clothing, makeup, hair, setting, and props. (And so, as matter of fact, does good street photography - though you can't control most of the variables.)

As for contrast, while you may not need more in the negative, you definitely need more in the elements of the picture. (It's not by accident that many striking portraits are done against dark backgrounds and with subjects wearing dark clothes. It helps draw attention to their faces.)

And I've learned by doing fashion that few people look good with no expression on their face. (The few that do make a lot of money because of it.) Don't forget, the wrinkles on your parent's faces came from emotion.

First decide what you want us to feel about your parents from looking at their picture - and then figure out the best way to communicate that technically.

(posted 8611 days ago)

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