Not my usual approach - and I was worried that this would be a bit too soft and wishy-washy for my taste. However, I'd never done a set-up family shot before so I thought this was a natural approach for us lot!
I had to precariously thread my tripod between the metal tendrils of our chandelier style light while it lurched to one side under the weight of the camera. I set it to self-timer and took only a few shots before the kids got fed up and started messing around showing their bits!
Shot in RAW, 6 seconds with 2nd curtain flash.
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Post Challenge edit
Thanks for all the words here - even the negatives. I'm sure we are gross to some people, but this says more about them than us.
We're not naturists or hippies (nothing against 'em mind), but this shot was not taken with nudity as emphasis but more of oneness. We don't suppress our children's view of the human body (why should we?) and don't see why people get so uptight about it.
The kids found nothing stange about doing this because they see us wandering around like it all the time and thought it was fun - giggling all the time, not because they were naked but because they being asked to be still!
Being boys, however, they still find the sight of boobies in magazines or on telly very funny. Some things never change...
Statistics
Place: 21 out of 159 Avg (all users): 6.0272 Avg (commenters): 7.0769 Avg (participants): 5.4111 Avg (non-participants): 6.3593 Views since voting: 8125 Views during voting: 925 Votes: 257 Comments: 71 Favorites: 11 (view)
One of my few posts...
I happened to stumble over this photo, and... POWERFUL!
To me, before reading your setup comments, I first thougth of how HUMAN this shot is with all subjects seemingly in the fetal position. It spoke to me about generations (and unborn generations waiting to fulfill their destiny.) And then after reading your notes Jon, I have to say - Yikes! sticking your tripod through the light fixture 8-O I imagine there was some tension in the waiting for the thing to stop moving around ;-)
At any rate - Great shot!! I find it difficult that anyone could find it inappropriate or offensive. It amazes me that we all have these bodies (they only come in two models folks, with very few options from the factory!) and have programmed ourselves to be so ashamed of looking at them... oh well. Excellent! Added to my fav's!
Thanks!
I really liked this shot and expected it to do much better. It's too bad that we are so out of touch with our humanity that this coul be considered offensive, especially considering what the media portrays as "acceptable".
I agree with skiprow, it stuck in my mind long afterwards too.
i wish i had had time to vote--my 10 mighta nudged ya into the top 20. absolutely fantastic shot, jon, one that stays with you long after you leave the page.
This is a wonderful picture, congratulations!!!
Too bad that most people are actually embarrased about the marvelous creation of the human body. This bias is the culprit of the low scores.
This was a risky photo which I liked very much! I had hoped it would ribbon but it was under apreciated by the voters in my opinion. Keep thinking creatively. I know you have more ribbons in you!
I know I should bit my tongue and not even waste my breath saying anything. But this photo disgusts me! It's so improper. I'm a mother with two small kids and I'm sorry i'm no prude but to just lay on the floor nude to take a photo? Why? What on earth were you thinking?
I love your take on the challenge. The entire family together. I'd like to see something a little less hi-key with more contrast, but that does not detract from this photo at all. The title is perfect too. 10
I don´t completely get the title, are you referring to a wish of having a score of 4.75 or do you mean that there is a fifth member to this family on the way?
Anyway, I don´t really care for the pink monotone in this image, I am not sure but I personally would probably have liked it better in a traditional b/w. Also I think it´s framed a bit too tightly or not tight enough, to just barely cut off the backs of the adults you give me the impression that you just didn´t have a wide enough lens to get them all in the picture as opposed that the framing is intentional.
I have to congratulate you though for thinking of this shot, wether this is a self portrait or this is some family that is close to you I bet that the persons on the photo will be glad this was taken in the years to come. Congratulations on your/their baby to come.
I would have like to see this cropped vertically , crop into forheads and legs. Great concept, but the execution could have been better. I also would have like to see them closer toegether.
Great idea. Looks very different from computor to computor. Alot lighter on this one vrs the one at home. Not sure how this may effect your score, however I like this image and it is my highest ranked photo of this challenge.
My first thought when I saw this was discomfort. I passed it without voting and came back to it later. I'm still a little uncomfortable, but I don't like my discomfort. I can only say that it's cultural and not based on the quality or technique of the shot.
Ultimately I have to score this high because it is very good artistically, it evokes emotion, and it makes me think of family -intimately. Congratulations on a fine piece. - 8
This pose is a little strange. The idea is good, perhaps working on the pose a bit would be what I would suggest. More contrast and shadows would help.
WOW! Fantastic idea and beautiful composition - great title too! The lighting seems a bit harsh to me (IMHO) and I realize that this was probably on purpose, but it is distracting to me. Love the muted colors. It took some guts to pull this off. What a great shot... Nice job. 9
Very sweet composition and lovely family story, though its painfully over-lighted. The skin tones are blown on each subject. I would suggest a reshoot with softer light as I'm sure this family would cherish it forever.
Is your title an indication of the score you expect to receive or the fact that the woman is pregnant? I find this somewhat offensive - naked children as well as the rest of the family being naked. It could have been done without the nudity. The processing makes it hard to look at as well - a lot of glare or reflection that hurts the eyes.
this is cute. the little one has her(?) eyes open implying that the rest of them are faking sleep. i'd really like to see this one cropped in closer all the way around and maybe with some added contrast or color. good luck.
I like this shot...very cool idea....wish it was a bit less overexposed, but that may have been what u were going for so I will give you the benefit of the doubt :)
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