When I took this photo I had no idea how the expressions on the cartoons above the kids would mirror their expressions. It wasn’t until I was developing the photo that it hit me. The faces aren’t an exact match, but close enough to make me feel like serendipity was at hand. The kid in the middle has a great sneer, which clear makes him the star.

I took this last summer at Como Park Zoo. It was beautiful day, but very busy. There were minivans, strollers, and people everywhere. I could barely believe my luck when a parking spot opened up right in front of the gates. Sometimes I get the feeling that certain pictures are meant to happen.

However happy I am with this picture, I’m at a loss about an age old question. Color or Black and White?

This is one of those rare cases where I’m actually happy with the color - very happy. But, B&W offers a kind of richness and documentary legitimacy that is hard to achieve with color.

Look below:

I just can’t decide which is the better look.

Because B&W seems to give pictures instant credibility and helps to mask deficiencies in a photogs ability to handle color, it can easily be a vice for the untalented. In this case I’m just not sure.

I’ll let you be the judge.

Posted: February 12th, 2008 under Kids.
Comments: none

I met this coupled walking down by the Mill City ruins along the Mississippi River. It was a sunny day last summer, 2007. They had walked a long distance from the street down to where I was shooting pictures below the Stone Arch bridge. I noticed that she waddled a lot, as if very uncomfortable. He was a very soft spoken, gentle guy helping her. They sat on a bench just as I was wrapping up to head out for another location. I’m not in the habit of asking strangers if I can snap their picture, but something made me ask these two….um….three. They agreed. While steadying my shot I asked them how far along they were. She was past due by a couple of days and was out walking to make something happen. If for no other reason, this simple shot is memorable for me because I look at it wondering what happened next. Boy or girl? How many pounds? What is the baby like now that she or he would be nearly a year old?

I also look at them and wonder about the distance between them. It could be nothing, just the way they happened to land on the bench. It also could indicate personal boundaries built upon proper upbringings. It could mean that the mother is so ready to have a baby that she needs her space. I can’t tell, but I find it interesting.

Hopefully all is well with them and the baby.

Posted: February 10th, 2008 under Couples.
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