Don't Just Lie There, Mom!
by cloudsme

Comment by Jutilda:
There is nothing sexual about this shot. Good grief. People are so absorbed with judging instead of seeing the photo for what it is. I think the capture was quite natural. Don't apologize for a thing!

On the Roof
by cloudsme

Comment by OdysseyF22:
Man, that is one ugly bird... :)

Don't Just Lie There, Mom!
by cloudsme

Comment by pcody:
I don't think you have anything to apologize for either. Your idea was clearly captured. Everything about the photo indicates you were trying to portray the woman as an object. Most adults see a pretty body and think of sex. The little guy doesn't see that at all. He sees the object that feeds him and is his buddy, his own personal toy that responds to his every wish. I thought this was one of the best ones in the challenge.

Don't Just Lie There, Mom!
by cloudsme

Comment by thatcloudthere:
Absolutely incredible photo. No apologies needed.

The juxtaposition between what most viewers saw (a very beautiful female body) and what the boy sees ("Mom!") is shown perfectly here. It's almost as if he's looking at me saying "What are you staring at everybody? It's just my Mom!" You're right, the placement of the hands makes this point even better. I feel sorry for those that couldn't understand it and projected their own sexuality on a little boy.

You are very insightful to have seen this photo and been able to share it with us (especially because you're so close to the subjects)...great work!

Don't Just Lie There, Mom!
by cloudsme

Comment by docpjv:
Nothing wrong by this innocent portrail of what happens everyday, everywhere. Excellent capture of the emotions and expressions.

Don't Just Lie There, Mom!
by cloudsme

Comment by Alecia:
weird. i spend almost everyday with my 4 year old nephew--whether at the beach or the pool (this scene reminds me of our sunspree, where we like to pretend we are on vacation)--and that's exactly what this photo reminded me of--his mom and/or i trying to chill poolside, while the little rascal hops all over us, wanting to play...cause, um, he's a kid. it wasn't until i read your comment--then the rest of them--that i even noticed anything untoward about this shot. people amaze me sometimes.

Spots Behind Bars
by cloudsme

Comment by JunieMoon:
Since I am lacking in technical skills, I cannot give helpful comments. I am strictly a photo buff who is trying to improve, but as to telling you what is wrong or right, I am in no position to say. I am simply voting based on whether I like the picture or not. Sorry, maybe someday I will be able to give helpful advice

Don't Just Lie There, Mom!
by cloudsme

Comment by cloudsme:
Based on the comments I recieved on this photo, some of you were offended or disturbed by i t. I would like to explain what my intentions of the photo were.

I was trying to portray the conflict a mother has in dealing with her children. She has her body, which is changed by pregnancy and breast feeding children. She has her freedom, which is lost to a tremendous degree. Her time is not her own anymore. Her sexuality is harder to find. Still, she loves her children, and feels the sacrafice is worth it. However, she looks foward to the day when the children are older, and she will regain some of what is lost. In the meantime, she tries to steal a few moments in the sun to relax and tan and maybe feel sexy for a while. Along comes the child, demanding her attention, with total disregard for her privacy, body, sexuality, and peace. She, of course, gives up her moment in the sun, and lovingly attends to her child.

This is my wife, and 4 year old child. I didn't place the childs hands, they just ended up there. Of course a 4 year old has no overt thoughts of sexuality (yes, I've read Freud). Hands often end up in the wrong place with children. This played into the point of the photo, so I left it in the photo. I shot from a low point of view, to try to make the child more of an imposing, scary figure. The mischevous expression was a plus as well. The fence between mom and the wide open ocean was chosen as a metaphor for the conflict.

The photo was meant to be uncomfortable. I think most of the tension comes from the conflict between mom's sexuality, and the childs total disregard for it. If you were offended by it, that was not my intention and I apologise.

On the Roof
by cloudsme

Comment by JunieMoon:
Very nice detail of the feathers. I love the color of them. The green blue roof really enhances their color. The sky is uninteresting though and I would have probably tried cropping more of it out.

Tropical Kickboarding
by cloudsme

Comment by hopnjohn:
I like the reflection of the palm tree. The shot seems more relaxing than sport. Still very nice.