In retrospect, I should have used a flash. This was taken on the bridge of a ship; there were large windows all around and the light coming in from there was fooling the meter on my camera, resulting in a somewhat underexposed image. So, in editing, I had to brighten it up with hue and saturation.
Statistics
Place: 91 out of 163 Avg (all users): 5.4144 Avg (commenters): 6.5625 Avg (participants): 5.3077 Avg (non-participants): 5.4586 Views since voting: 882 Views during voting: 303 Votes: 222 Comments: 19 Favorites: 0
Well, I learned a lot on this one, too -- mainly about paying attention to the background. In this case, however, there was little I could do about that -- except move the cigarette lighter -- because the baptism took place aboard the bridge of a ship -- so the background was what it was. The photo is not as focused as I would have liked; but there could be no re-takes because it was the real event; and once the water was poured, that was it. Some expressed surprise at my interpretation of the challenge. For me, the photo fit the challenge perfectly because baptism is, quite literally, a celebration of life. And, for those who believe in it, it is also the giving of a spiritual new life. The photo is not meant to preach -- I am not an evangelist and not even particularly religious. So the only critiques that bothered me were the criticisms I received via email from people who thought that, by displaying a photograph of a Christian religious rite I was preaching to them. Nonsense. Religious rites, of whatever religion, are anthropologically and sociologically interesting due to the insight they give into the human condition. I suspect the 1 and the 2s I received were from people who were offended by the subject matter rather than my inexpert photography skills. Finally, I still don't know how to use photoshop. I'll have to learn. Thank you to all of you who gave constructive critiques -- even negative ones help if they are constructive.
Although I don't think the lighting is particularly strong in this photo (whites really detract from child's face), the composition and capture are quite strong. 6.
interesting interpretation of the contest's title. I like it, perhaps a better composition was possible(and if you clone out the lighter...) but a good image. 7
It's a bit strange to see a baptism with a filing cabinet, a Kleenex box, a cigarette lighter in the background. I think this is a beautiful image, and you caught the moment right (whether real or staged, and even though the water is actually missing the bowl). I think it's neat that the baby looks like a lot of babies do at baptisms, sort of like, "What are you doing to me?!?!" It took me a moment to figure out that the string by the pastor's glasses were because they're reading glasses :) Definitely celebrates life. ~7
A really special time to capture - but the background has so much clutter and stuff in it. Filing cabinets, lighters, heaters etc really don't enhance or add to the shot at all.
There are a lot who will vote this down simply because it is religious. I think it is an awesome photo of itself without the religious theme but before I even looked at one life or death photo I had already decided to to add 3 points to whatever the score would have been if it had a religious theme (in order to offset those who vote it down just for the same reason).
Add photograph to your favorites
Add photographer to your favorites
Photographer found comment helpful.
