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ctfchallenge | all galleries >> Challenge 153 - Part Thereof >> Part Thereof - Exhibition > 9th - For Max
by clairet
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12-DEC-2007 clairet

9th - For Max
by clairet

This photo was taken at the funeral for a friend's child.
Any advice on how to improve it would be appreciated.

Sony DSC-P150
1/160s f/5.6 at 7.9mm iso100 full exif

other sizes: small medium original auto
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Canon DSLR Challenge26-Feb-2008 04:51
I forgot to HM this shot in voting, Claire. It is quite beautiful; when the story is known, it's more so. ~Lydia
ctfchallenge18-Feb-2008 18:05
As photographers, sometimes we are known to take risks. I'm glad you did here, as it truly is an outstanding and valuable shot. ~ Lonnit
ctfchallenge18-Feb-2008 15:58
great photo. sorry for the story behind it........
Penny Street
aam1234 18-Feb-2008 15:28
National Geographic.
ctfchallenge18-Feb-2008 15:03
wow guys. thanks. (What is NG?)...claire
Canon DSLR Challenge18-Feb-2008 14:16
Beautiful, Claire. Great reflexes. -tv
aam1234 18-Feb-2008 13:11
This photo is so great that it stands on its own w/o knowing the background. Imo, this, and Self Portrait above are NG material. Photos we dream of taking. My (virtual) hat is off to you, Claire.
ctfchallenge18-Feb-2008 09:03
Thanks for the comments everyone. As you can imagine this shot is very dear to my heart. Max had a problem with his heart discovered soon after he was born and died soon after his 2nd birthday.I had taken photos (lots!) at his 1st birthday party when the parents' camera broke and they had been very grateful. So I took my p&s to take some of the funeral as I guessed it would pass as a blur for them. When the balloons were released I had to swallow the HUGE embarassment I felt and just get on with it. I am so glad I did, the parents love the photo and it was such a touching sight - all those bright balloons against the blue December sky. They have this on their wall and admit their only memory of the sight is through this photo...claire
Rod 18-Feb-2008 07:00
I agree this can't be improved for the shot it is. It's really just perfect Claire.
Canon DSLR Challenge17-Feb-2008 23:18
I think it captured the spirit flawlessly! Upon first glance, not knowing the situation, I thought "How festive!" but the looming, overpowering darkness seemed so inappropriate. Now, knowing the story, how utterly appropriate it is. Had you planned the shot to the finest detail, you could not have come away with an image that more perfectly captures the spirit of childhood and the depth of the loss. I now look again and tears fill my eyes. It is a perfect image - please do not touch it! This is an image that the parents should have - it says it all. I would make a gift of it to them.

Now, the big question is, whatever possessed you to take a camera to a funeral? I'm so glad you did because of the magnificent image you created, I just can't believe you were there with camera in hand.

Kudos! ~ Lonnit
Canon DSLR Challenge17-Feb-2008 18:43
What a wonderful shot. So meaningful! dtallakson
ctfchallenge17-Feb-2008 13:24
thanks amm. If ever there was a time when you just had to point and shoot - this was it so I'm pleased it came out so well...claire
aam1234 17-Feb-2008 13:20
Why improve it, looks perfect.