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I've been back in the UK since late Wednesday evening, but haven't had the chance to go out shooting yet, so here's another one from Bulgaria. It's a shot of Libby, Tabitha and Finley playing on the slide in the park in Veliko Tarnovo. And while it's not as immediately 'attention grabbing' as some of the stuff I've been posting, I do like the story it tells. Let me know what you think.

Update: Following a couple of emails, and a comment requesting it, here's the original:

.../archives/small_steps.php

captured
camera
lens
aperture
shutter speed
shooting mode
exposure bias
metering mode
ISO
flash
image quality
RAW converter
cropped?
1.42pm on 8/6/09
Canon 1Ds Mark II
EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM
f/2.8
1/500
aperture priority
+0.0
evaluative
100
no
RAW
Adobe Camera Raw
relatively minor
 
3x2 + children + people
comment by Thierry at 12:16 PM (GMT) on 12 June, 2009

Very nice colors, cool and soft light !

comment by Mirko at 12:49 PM (GMT) on 12 June, 2009

There's this subtle expression of caring and giving safety in this shot. Not a 'wow-shot' for sure, but one that makes me think for a while...

comment by Dave at 12:59 PM (GMT) on 12 June, 2009

Is there a 'King of Selective Desaturation' award? You definitely deserve one David!

comment by Buonaluce at 01:06 PM (GMT) on 12 June, 2009

The story is sweet and charming, as it's the story of your children and your family growing together. :) I absolutely love this shot form that POV.

That said, the OOF foreground is distracting. Coloring and toning is superb, as always. Keep shooting, I'll keep learning from you.

comment by Carlos Garcia at 01:46 PM (GMT) on 12 June, 2009

The hats, army fatigues vs. flowers, a helping hand, the ancient stairs of fun... wonderful composition.

C.

comment by Peter T at 02:19 PM (GMT) on 12 June, 2009

Your work is just stunning. Beautiful, artistic and full of emotion. I happen to LOVE this shot. Keep them coming, you help brighten my day!

comment by Kevin at 02:25 PM (GMT) on 12 June, 2009

That picture is wonderful in so many ways.

comment by Kevin at 02:30 PM (GMT) on 12 June, 2009

David - I often heard that it's the lens, not the camera. But even with my friend's 24-70 2/8L I don't get shots as clear as this one on my 450D. On a fundamental level, what is it that's in these instances better about the 1Ds - I know they're two different leagues of cameras. But at some point a RAW is a RAW.

comment by Al at 02:31 PM (GMT) on 12 June, 2009

Perfect. Great detail. I'm always curious to the PP. Was it converted to B&W and the color brought back in? Or was it done by simpling toning the image with a light red?

comment by Mark at 03:19 PM (GMT) on 12 June, 2009

Are you kidding David? I thought the use of color here was stunning and very much an attention grabber, and talk about story... You are the King.

comment by will pattison at 05:35 PM (GMT) on 12 June, 2009

dude...that is a greeting card for sure! classic.

wp.

comment by Stephan at 10:21 PM (GMT) on 12 June, 2009

Composition, subject, POV: all top notch. But I have to say, that the color matching of the stairs and the dress is little strange. First I thought: Wow, one of the beautiful desaturation post processings again. But thinking that, it just cannot have been the same color. Can it?

And yes, It looks like a postcard. That's so true.

Thanks for sharing and everything, I just love what you do.

comment by Ananth at 05:54 AM (GMT) on 13 June, 2009

We are used to the original versions you used to post for the shots. Addicted, cant leave without that... Please post it as well.

comment by ODILIA LIUZZI at 09:20 AM (GMT) on 13 June, 2009

so sweet the pink color.. like it!

comment by Alex at 03:33 PM (GMT) on 13 June, 2009

Me gusta muchisimo como destaca el color rosa en esta fotografia.
Saludos.

comment by djn1 at 09:24 PM (GMT) on 14 June, 2009

Thanks everyone.

Kevin: I suspect it's probably more to do with the way in which I sharpen my web images rather than anything to do with the difference between the cameras. Drop me an email and I'll see if I can help.

Al: it's partially desaturated using the Channel Mixer.


comment by Brian at 10:00 PM (GMT) on 14 June, 2009

This is really lovely, as are many of your pictures. I especially enjoy how you enter, and show us, the inner world of childhood through your children. As a new father I am beginning to make my way in this foreign yet strangely familiar way of being. Thanks for the great work and the inspiration, David.