This was taken the day after bringing home my son who was 5 weeks premature. I had him relaxed (briefly) and managed to compose this shot very quickly by holding him in front of a floor lamp... My wife snapped the photo (poor focus)... Due to the lack of preparation there was a fair amount of post processing. Grain was added and the image softened to help disguise the poor focus.
My son was 5 weeks early also and in intensive care for 18 days, now he is 12 and growing tall/wild. I love this picture. It brings back emotions. I like the poem that Robert wrote too, I may write one also, just to remember my son and the things we went through. Thanks
Stephen I cradled you in my palm at your frail birth
and prayed for God to keep me safe from harm,
that I might shelter you for all your years:
as my hand then, soon my encircling arm.
I studied your eyes. A tender philosophy
was there, already there, waiting for you to teach:
how in the smallest speck of sand there hangs
the world entire — in everything the each.
My son, my love, let me propose this trade:
I pledge my strength to you, for all my days,
if you will lend me yours, that as you grow
I may relearn from you my childish grace.
The post processing made this timeless. Your son looks like he is really comtemplating his life in the new world of air and light. Composition, the wavy line created by your hand and forearm is a strong element that allows the eye to flow over the picture. The only thing I'd change is the tiny bit of diaper that is shown. I think cloning it out would help the overall composition. Even as it is, I would buy a print of it. Offered as a Katrina print I'd purchase the largest size.
Wonderful subject. I like the processing and the light. I do also think the composition could be improved..... either by going close-up on the hand and face, or, reducing the number of "cut-off" things. A square crop on the little guy's expression might work well.
Hope that's useful.
Now that's what I really do call a precious moment. Very special photo which, with the way his head fits into the palm of your hand, shows just how tiny and vulnerable he is. Wonderful.
Powerful shot. Not sure if I like the grain or not. I'd probably have to see it both ways. I think more or less of the other hand would be better, but this is a great shot.
Wow! This brings back some memories! I like the shot. Not sure I'm a huge fan of the overall composition, but I can't really put my finger on the "why". I like the graininess.
This is a grainy shot, and focus isn't perfectly sharp and I don't care at all..it is wonderful!!! Love the look in his/her eye..maybe try cropping back (left side) hand out?
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