The Ceremony is Over, So let the Party Begin
by twm122

Comment by lissylou:
hmm...isn't a wedding the opposite of independence?

Mother and Son
by twm122

Comment by Jutilda:
Congratulations on your highest score! I liked the natural feeling and the great softness of the skin. Way to go!

Mother and Son
by twm122

Comment by SandyP:
I had a feeling this one was yours Theresa. I too like this just as it is. It's beautiful!

The Ceremony is Over, So let the Party Begin
by twm122

Comment by OdysseyF22:
If that's a wedding cake, then isn't this more of an "end of independence"? lol

Mother and Son
by twm122

Comment by roadrunner:
i personally like it as is, it shows so much love between mum and son....that i would never have 'looked' at the background... my first reaction was to look and smile....
great work and congrats on your highest score....

Mother and Son
by twm122

Comment by twm122:
Thank you to everyone that commented on this image. I really appreciate the feedback. Just wanted to add a few comments of my own. Yes, blurring the background would have improved the image, but I did not take this to fit the challenge. I did not even know there was a family challenge when I took this. This was a strictly impromtu session. I went to see my best friend and her son's new home, their first home. I suggested that she take a picture in her new backyard, of her new back yard. So the scenery was just as important to her, to mark a very important time in her life. I agree about the reflection on her lip, hadn't even thought of that as it it didn't bother me or her. So, thank you for your comments and making this my highest scoring image in a challenge, yet.

Mother and Son
by twm122

Comment by GeneralE:
Since this was an Advanced editing challenge, I'd have strongly considered making a couple of masks and blutting the far background quite a bit, and the tree somewhat less so, to create both a feeling of depth and to provide a less-distracting BG for the portrait., and cloning out/burinign in what looks like a bright reflection on her lip. This would somewhat simulate the effect of opening the aperture to a very wide setting--not possible with all cameras or under all conditions though.
Pose and lighting/tones in the portrait are wonderful.

The Ceremony is Over, So let the Party Begin
by twm122

Comment by vtruan:
not fond of the angle, but lets have some cake anyway

Mother and Son
by twm122

Comment by RKT:
Such a nice portrait...the skin tones are just so lovely....warm and luminous...and genuine.

The Ceremony is Over, So let the Party Begin
by twm122

Comment by Beagleboy:
Linking marriage to independence is a bit of a stretch. I think most people would lnk to a loss of independence. That said, this is a very nice wedding portfolio image. Your clients must be happy with it.