thanks to everyone for their comments. this was a candid shot. the boy in the foreground was actually scared. he had never held a sparkler before and covered his eyes screaming until the sparkler went out. he was not hurt or burned in any way. i wouldn't use his pain for a photo contest. i felt i did meet the fear challenge; his fear was there. ;-)
I think this picture would have been more appealing if the frame had been filled with the young boy, so that the others who were having a good time didn't show. Also, there is something about cutting your subject off at the knees that is disconcerting. It looks like an accident, even if it is on purpose. Something I have found that is effective when taking pictures of young people is to get down "on their level." Having said all of that, this is a good "grab" shot. Way to be at the right place at the right itme. I love the expression on his face, and how it seems that though he's not real pleased with the situation, he will not let go. If this shot is set up, you have a marvelous actor there!
OK, I'm guessing this is staged -- and that's totally OK -- but what scares ME is if this wasn't staged, the kid really does have something in his eye, and you pulled out your camera and took a picture of it. :-) Love the glare of the sparklers, and for what ever reason, the hiding behind the hand works. I wish I couldn't see the car and that the kids in the background were a little more evenly distributed across that background space.
You're stretching a little :) I don't think the shot really works for the challenge, but the kid's expression is great. I'd like this photo much better with just him in the shot.
If another shot was taken of this scene I feel it would of had more impact. Perhaps if the image was not so busy. Taking the shot at the childs eye level may of worked better.
Ouch! is he alright? I like the flare of the sparklers and especially the smoke, but the background is a bit crowded... Of course posing him with a less crowded background and saying "Ok, burn your eye again" would not have been an option. I think with the aid of Printshop type software to blur the background, this might be a great shot.
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