Intersting moment you have captured here ;-)

And again - having coffee and reading the first entry this morning. my eyes wide open - fantastic Dave! A absolute agree with Libby - a lovely shot.

I like her cute face and of course ... the really really fine tattoo, outstanding!

I'm liking this series, being able to see the origional pic is really helpful, thanks!

I find these posts really interesting David, I take my hat of to your persuasive powers! I've always found the hardest part asking strangers, but of course when you do the rewards are often top draw.

All three images in this series are really great but for me for different reasons, they all convey a story, the bw image is so different to the others in that its posed but not obviously so, so the picture works well, todays post is a really fun image, but which I prefer? I'd have to toss a coin.

I'm imagining the conversation on Blackpool beach - "so fancy taking your top off for me? then?!" Great shot Dave :-)

I think I prefer the 2nd in the series - but this does convey a lot of the fun involved.

I also really like being able to see the original image. Looking forward to the next post.

One thing I'm curious about, David... When you're posting images in a series, you don't bother to replicate certain post-processing steps? For instance, I notice the cloning out of the red "button" on the jeans in the previous photo, whereas it is left in the frame here.

What are your thoughts on this topic? (i.e., being consistent from frame to frame if posting a series?)

Thanks all.

Neil: I know what you mean about asking people - I often find it hard - but in this instance they were more than happy to be photographed.

Debbie: it was her idea, not mine, but I certainly didn't object :)

Eugene: if I was thinking of including this set in an exhibition then I'd probably post-produce them in a much more uniform manner, but I decided to treat each one individually in this instance. As for the button: it was just too close to the edge of the frame in the previous shot so I cloned it out.

I think I prefer the second one and would be interested in seeing it in colour, processed the same way as this one as a comparison.

Also liking the "show original image" rollover.

Hmm all i got at that location was moving clouds ;)

Great laughter in this one. And the post-- definitely enriches the "color" of the scene. But having said that, I still am partial to the 2nd. The B/W post-- there is very "eye catching" to me.

I think I prefer the other black and white photo..the body art really stands out to me. Thanks for some fun photos!

nice david :) its good to get this kind of playful interaction and lack of inhibition on your subjects part; i just got two girls kissing (for real) for the first time ever, hahaha.

Hi Dave,

Since you are inviting us, I'd love to pipe in. Though I'm a big fan of your artistic approach in the b&w shot (slightly higher contrast, good negative space, focus on the interesting tatoo), I'm going to go with this one whole heartedly for two big reasons.

First, I've gradually become a bigger fan of the power of perspective especially when considered in terms of Gestalt theory (I'm no expert but I've enjoyed learning about it and it has really changed the way I see photos and paintings). Here, I'm continuing the image out of frame with the lesser elements of the dock and the friend. You captured then cropped just right with these. Next, there's this slight overlap of her leg, left shoulder and peacock feather in relation to the dock. There's the near touch of the back of her head to the dock. Finally the two strongest elements of Gestalt here are the near touch of her lip to shoulder ( I'm aware there's parallax here and it would be overlap and not touch but until there's actually overlap, the appearance is still "near touch") and then the fingertips touching and indicating the overlap we are instantly wondering about when we first see the image. Additionally, I like the way her arm and bra form a second sort of frame (dock being the first frame) to fix her most interesting photo features between. The fact that the top of her denim skirt is positioned just above the horizon is also a powerful factor for me. Plus, that bra just has a Gestalt all its own! You just picked a GREAT position to shoot from: way more setup than a grab shot though way less setup than a studio or location shot.

Second is way easier to describe. I like this one better because of the most powerful element in photography to me. That is "moment". Here you not only pressed the button at the right time but coaxed an incredibly rare moment to happen in public then followed it though beautifully. Her whole face is smiling, especially her eyes (just noticed the strong Gestalt in the scarf to smile near touch). You must have done an excellent job of representing yourself in such a way as to make a subject comfortable enough to deliver a moment like this. Good people skills!

You don't post shots quite like this one very often. Much of what you do is very contemplative, still, or slighly more posed. It's just great to see you play the Bresson card like this once in a while.

Congratulations on this one. It's a rare gem!

Thad

Okay, sorry for the whopper of a post that last one was. I might rant but I rarely deliver a diatribe. Actually, I just felt compelled to comment on the comments of your other fans. It's great to see so many people say more than two or three words. Everyone seems to have a thoughtful reason for their pick.

Thad

Thanks everyone :)

Thad: I'll email you.