Friday, February 22, 2013

Only Connect

I'm switching gears here quite radically...moving away from winter and scenery and going to post a picture of a complete stranger.  I took this picture last August at Deep Cove Days in North Vancouver, where lots of people were enjoying music, and food, and sunshine... 



I noticed this young mother caressing her baby and was struck by her tattoos, including the one like a wedding band.  And then I noticed how she was leaning back to back with a guy sporting a modified Mohawk and a muscle shirt, whom I assumed was the baby's father.  They made such a non-traditional sort of family, and yet the baby was dressed in pink. 
Maybe it was a boy.



I must admit to tinkering with this photo for several hours today (blame it on the weather).  I was inspired by a themed "exhibit" of photographic art at Bonnie's Pixel Dust Photo Art blog this weekend where she set a challenge to come up with a picture demonstrating "connection."  What stronger connection could there be than between a mother and her baby?  But here we go a step further and have the bond between parents and child. 



Next week, Bonnie's asking participants to illustrate the concept of "Vintage."
Looks like I got a head start on it!

Do take a wander through Bonnie's virtual art gallery to see other fine examples of photo art from bloggers all over the world.

What do you think might be an appropriate title for my photo?
Madonna and Child?  The Holy Family?  The Unholy Trinity?

44 comments:

  1. Such beautiful photos--I love all three equally. The third one is starting to have a Renaissance Madonna and Child feel. Being snowed in is very good for your work, I see!

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    1. I really had Renaissance Madonna and Child paintings in mind when I was working with this photo. I don't have the tools (or perhaps the patience?) to give it a real painterly look, though. It's a good thing that snow has some redeeming quality!

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  2. Yes the third one does it for me, looks like they are morphed together in total union!

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    1. Oh, that's a lovely interpretation...morphed together in total union. I don't usually go for very faded tones but it seemed perfect for this picture. Glad you like it.

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  3. fabulous capture and love the softness of the last image

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    1. Thanks, Helena. I was pleased when that soft image appeared before my eyes while I was experimenting with different blend modes.

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  4. Beautiful photos, love how you have take the photo of the woman´s face
    and they are so wonderful done pieces.

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    1. I tried to emphasize her face so I'm very happy that you like how it came out.

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  5. I love the original actually. The way the adults are supporting one another quite literally is fabulous

    Mollyxxx

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    1. I took the photo so quickly that I didn't even notice the male figure the mother was leaning against until I got the picture out of my camera. It struck me as such a strong union. I like how you describe them as supporting one another.

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  6. I really like the oryginal and the last one!

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    1. I'm sure you relate to it on a personal level, being such a wonderful photographer of yourself and your baby.

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  7. I've got you covered on this one. The baby's clothes are courtesy of the grandparents. I'm sure there will be plenty of Sailor Jerry inspired wardrobe choices in her future. I love the original too. I'm a huge fan of freckles! Love Molly's take on the scene as well...

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    1. I'm sure you've got that right! Those grandparents are going to be doing all they can to counter-influence the counter-culture of the parents. I had to tone down the bright pink of the sleeper, it was so new and clean. I also had to look up Sailor Jerry online to get the scoop. Perfect reference--I love it.

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  8. Replies
    1. Not sure if you mean in finding the subject or in finding the effects to apply, but either way--thanks! So nice of you to hop over here from my other blog.

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  9. extraordinary. what a lovely possibility you've treated me to!!!
    xoxo

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    1. The world is your oyster...full of shiny effects and colours. Glad if I've provided you with some inspiration.

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  10. Very cool. I love the story behind the photo and the edits you did. I do find that interesting how "non-traditional" the two adults appear, yet, put their child in a (assuming girl) traditional girly outfit.

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    1. Yes, the trad baby outfit contrasted with the anti-establishment look of the parents really makes the little family unit stand out. Makes us question our assumptions about them, too, don't you think?

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  11. You captured a very interesting view of this family. I enjoyed your processing of the photo. I think the last one is my favorite.

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    1. I was pleased that I was able to get that shot. The original photo was not very good so the edits (and there were a lot of them) really brought it to life. The last one is a very unusual sort of effect for me to use and I'm glad that you like it. It seems quite popular with others as well.

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  12. It certainly is a very interesting image on many different levels.....

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    1. Thanks. What more could I ask from an image, or a comment?

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  13. Love the first image most. Yes, wearing some ink as a father brought me already a few comments, while taking the kid on a walk.

    Once again, a very fine work of yours with the image. They surely would be pleased to see it. Please have you all a good weekend.

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    1. Sometimes, Robert, your command of English astounds me: I love that expression, "wearing some ink"! I think you have a unicorn tat, no? Surely a viewer-friendly sort of image, one would hope.

      Wishing you an enchanting weekend.

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  14. interesting how all connections have their own meeting, whether they are traditional, or unique.

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    1. Maybe all connections are unique and yet universal at the same time?

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  15. I have saved this photo. It really tugs at me. Perhaps it should be titled....How to Save the World.

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  16. Maybe children give us an amazing present... they change us into parents... Your photo is an "universal" portrait of a mother. A beautiful one.

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    1. Being changed into a parent is perhaps the most amazing transformation there is? Your observation that this is a "universal" portrait, in spite of its singularity, is so true.

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  17. What a very beautiful post. Wonderful...

    Greetings from The Netherlands,
    DzjieDzjee

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    1. How delightful that you came to visit! I'm so glad you like what you found here today.

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  18. it doesn't matter how they are named (though the unholy trinity made me chuckle :-) - they are sooo cute!!!

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    1. I wonder how this particular set of parents would feel about being described as "cute"! But they do make an adorable unit with their tenderness towards each other.

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  19. interesting! Thanks for visiting Naturefotostep so I could get to your site. Love what I ´ve seen of your art o far. :)

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    1. And thank you for your return visit. It's such fun to meet other bloggers and discover different views of the world.

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  20. I was going to say that you should have saved the last edit for next week... but I see you already thought of that! ;)
    I love all three. With a shot such as that, perhaps you can't go too wrong with any edit! There is really an immense sense of connection in spite of them having their backs towards each other and the mother looking away from the child - or perhaps *because* of just that... I get this wonderful sense of security from this shot, solid connection... beautiful!
    And thank you so much for your comment on my piece - that really made my day! :)

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    1. I can't believe how lucky I was to get that shot because I was trying to be very subtle (sneaky) and quick. The original photo was clear enough, miraculously, but the colours/contrast horrible. So it was really gratifying to be able to bring to it the feelings the tight-knit little unit evoked in me through some tampering in Photoshop.
      So happy that I was able to "make your day"!

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  21. A nice winter project, I guess these people don't know how much you've worked on them , I've done the same thing with photos of interesting people in public, I wonder if someone is working on us without our knowing,,,have a good week,,,M

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    1. Ha ha, people working on candid shots of us somewhere! Personally speaking, they'd have their job cut out for them to get an artistically pleasing edit of moi.

      I'm hoping to see the evolution of that reddish-toned leather on your blog...Another mode of transformation, and definitely more practical.

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  22. What a beautiful image! And so many intersting variations in processing.

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  23. What a nice picture. Like all good pictures, it says a lot more than just "here are some people" and it inspires the imagination.

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