Here’s Johhny!
by P-A-U-L

Comment by P-A-U-L:

Originally posted by Simms: to most voters who spend no more than 4 or 5 seconds on a shot - this is a shot of your kid messing around shoehorned into the challenge - and they scored it as such.

You hit the nail right on the head.

Message edited by author 2013-07-09 04:18:26.

Here’s Johhny!
by P-A-U-L

Comment by spiritualspatula:
I voted, and I was one of your low votes.
I voted it such because the desat felt contrived and what was left seemed overdone, as well. Very artificial looking.
I'm not normally terribly fond of photos of children, so there's gotta be a significant connection to a moment conveyed, and I don't particularly get that here. There is no context conveyed, which is crucial for a successful candid. I would also question the "candidness" of this one, but that's a whole different argument. It's also in the awkward overlap between sharp and purposefully blurred. It's soft, but it looks soft not because you wanted it that way but because that's all you could do, unintentional, unconnected to the feeling you're trying to give the viewer.

Here’s Johhny!
by P-A-U-L

Comment by Simms:
I agree with previous comment - selective desaturation is a really gimmicky processing technique that rarely, if ever, enhances a photo. I know I have done my fair share of it whilst building my skills and I look back on those images today and shudder!
Regarding the actual subject of the image - pictures of our children, unless very well done, rarely score well - it may be a great shot to you as you have a connection with the child, and we all know that photos of our own kids are the best in the world! Sadly other people don`t have that connection with your subject and thus its sadly overlooked. Thats probably why this shot scored badly - to most voters who spend no more than 4 or 5 seconds on a shot - this is a shot of your kid messing around shoehorned into the challenge - and they scored it as such.

I am surprised you didn`t get negative comments on the eyes though.

Hope this helps!

Here’s Johhny!
by P-A-U-L

Comment by MightyPirate:
I didn't vote on this challenge (new to the site), but to me, the selective saturation processing feels odd for a 'candid' photo. Also, giantmike's comments apply here.

Here’s Johhny!
by P-A-U-L

Comment by giantmike:
I voted this down almost exclusively because of the eyes. Selective saturation (to me) needs to be done in a way that helps tell a story or convey a message. In this photo, I just see it as gimmicky.

Since the eyes are the most powerful part of a facial portrait, this effect completely removes that power and turns me away.

Old English Squire
by P-A-U-L

Comment by P-A-U-L:
Thanks for comments. Very happy with the result

Here’s Johhny!
by P-A-U-L

Comment by Jon_H:
Nice one, i thought of the Exorcist initially.

Here’s Johhny!
by P-A-U-L

Comment by bmartuch:
I love this. Great job.

Old English Squire
by P-A-U-L

Comment by baco99:
Very nice exposure and contrast. I like that the green is so vibrant. The yellow thorn in front is a little distracting, but I understand you need to capture what's given to you.

Orange and Blue
by P-A-U-L

Comment by P-A-U-L:
Thanks for all the great comments. I totally agree it would have been better with a more out of focus background. Also I now see it is too pale.