Bow tied boy

[Michael Georges]

Mike:

Maybe it's just me, but the sleeves and the fingers are in visual opposition...the sleeves feel very masculine while the hands are clearly feminine...

In my eye, the hands make the statement and the suit sleeves pull me right off the work by making me question...if the person holding your subject was father or mother. You could certainly justify the suit on either gender, but to me, it made me ask a question.

Not necessarily a bad thing except that it pulled me off the work, but thought I would point it out.

[Mike McCarty]

Michael,

Thanks for your response.

I can't deny your reaction. I can only offer what my thinking was and how I solved certain issues that were in my mind.

making me question...if the person holding your subject was father or mother

Maybe the jacket and hands represent both father and mother ...

As I was putting this together in my mind I knew that I wanted long sleeves and hopefully dark. I don't think the boy's face, on our left side, would pop out if it were against another flesh tone. I do think it might have been more complete if there had been just a touch of a white shirt sleeve showing beneath the jacket sleeve.

I think the image may require a bit of a leap and may not work for all viewers. That may not be a terrible thing. My biggest concern is that it work compositionally. All the "meaning" stuff will have to be worked out on an idividual basis.

As Garth suggested: it may best be left as photo. I'll put it in the stack and reflect on it.

I do think it's good to experiment with different notions. Then run them up the flag pole ... metaphorically speaking that is.

And speaking of symbolism ... here's some trouble I got into just after a recent snow storm. A "Crossroads," Robert Johnson moment.

[Terri Ficenec]

Hi Mike,

I like the closer crop better... and I like the concept

[Carlos Ygoa]

Mike,

Thanks for your intervention with Wal-Mart. I will await their opening.
You are also my photography guru. I love the B&W one of the girl. Would make a great album cover...you captured her while she "tried to flag a ride..."(hope she didn

[Carol Norton]

[QUOTE=Michael Georges]Mike:

Maybe it's just me, but the sleeves and the fingers are in visual opposition...the sleeves feel very masculine while the hands are clearly feminine...

Mike, this is a beautiful, beautiful concept and shot. What if....you added a bit of cream colored lace sleeve out of the left suit sleeve? Would that take care of the question?

[Mike McCarty]

Carol,

Maybe the jacket and hands represent both father and mother ...

Actually, if the sleeves are perceived to be masculine, and the hands feminine, then I achieved my purpose. It's a composite of both the father and mother watching over the boy. The "suit" and the "nails" forming the composite. I was actually thinking of going with a bit of starched white shirt coming out of the suit sleeve to reinforce the masculine. The hands and nails seem obviously feminine.

"a bit convoluted?" A common refrain from my own parents ...

Carlos,

I can report that Suzi has plenty of soul remaining.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yd60nI4sa9A

It takes a lot to laugh, It takes a train to cry ...

http://www.bobdylan.com/#/songs/it-t...akes-train-cry

click the "listen" at the top left.