Marshmallow Break

[speedneeder]

My son and I like to burn stuff! Specifically we enjoy burning wood in the fire pit in the back yard I made this photo trying to capture only what matters, the fire and my son! I would appreciate any suggestions or comments for improvement. How does this image strike you?

Thanks

[epmi314]

Brian,

I like the light of the fire reflected on the arms of the old chair, his hands and his face. The dark coat and the hoodie against the dark night sort of gives the shot the right feel. Well done, in my opinion.

[speedneeder]

Scott, thanks for your input.
I thought about removing the arms of the chair from the photo completely, though I think they help add just a little necessary context to the image.
I darkened the background because I thought the yard behind him was irrelevant to the image and this also added to the overall darkness which is an integral part of the moment.
The burn layer that did most of the darkening also added some grainy areas, though I find I like it that way.

[epmi314]

My only other thought is the photo strikes a slightly more ominous note than the title would suggest.

[speedneeder]

That's very true, good point. He did seem a little introspect at the time.

[epmi314]

Introspect is a perfect description of the mood.

[speedneeder]

Lol alright then. The new title of the photo is "Introspect".
Perhaps marshmallow introspect? Nah, that doesn't fit either

[Loose Canon]

Personally, I can think of nothing more ominous than a marshmallow.

Unless of course it is paired with its horrific sidekicks Chocolate Bar and Graham Cracker!

Yes, I am speaking of the dreaded S'More!

A good shot, Brian, and I would definitely leave the arms of the chair. Gives a little depth and kind of frames Son.

[speedneeder]

Thank you for input Terry.
Is the noise/grain distracting? Like on the cuff of his left sleeve? To me its good, adds a little roughness to the shot, but interested to hear other opinions.

[Loose Canon]

Brian, if this were my shot, here's what I believe I would do with it.

There seems to be a little white spot just below his chin (maybe a spectral?) that I would lose.

There is another one just below and left of the close arm of the chair at or near the bottom of the frame. Those two I would take out for sure. And there is another just at the back of Beloved Son's knee that I would lose and see if I like it that way. But I would certainly leave the light's reflection on the front of his knee.

As for the sleeve I would leave it. I like the "rough" look. Sometimes I find myself going a bit wild on cloning things thinking that I am going to make a particular image "perfect". Seemingly not realizing it is already "perfect" as is. I have to stop and remember that I may not really want anything too "slick"! Takes the character out of it sometimes!

Other than those couple of pickaune ideas, I would let it ride as is. I don't find the grain distracting at all. In fact, a shot of this kind benefits from a little "rough" to my way of thinking. After all, it is a young man compelled by a fire in an outdoor setting and it shouldn't be too "slick" either.

Its a good shot Brian and one I think will come to mind when you are hanging around the fire with your grandkids (his kiddos) someday roasting mashsmallows!

[Kris V]

I wouldn't change a thing - This is one awesome shot - in my unexperiended eye.

[speedneeder]

Thank you for your comments Terry. I don't recall any spots on the original photo! I will have to go back and check, though Flickr does seem to provide unexpected results at times
Kris, thank you for your compliment!