Birthday Girl

bdcolen · February 10, 2010

Someone asked where the cake and presents were. So here are about 10 percent of the images from Saturday's shoot of a birthday party for a one-year-old. The parents are a couple who's wedding I shot about two years ago. There are a couple of back stories, but I'll hold on to those.

bfjr · February 10, 2010

Well I was the Someone and Gee she still don't look that happy with her lot !

bdcolen · February 10, 2010

bfjr wrote:

Well I was the Someone and Gee she still don't look that happy with her lot !

Oh, now you want happy too?? Take a look at the others and you'll see happy. But reality isn't all happy.

rutt · February 10, 2010

I think she's just precious.

sara505 · February 10, 2010

This one's okay, but not the best one of the bunch, imo. There are some really good shots from that day.

bfjr · February 11, 2010

rutt wrote:

I think she's just precious.

OK my turn, "What are you Drinking?"

The Kid looks like "Chucky"

bdcolen · February 11, 2010

bfjr wrote:

OK my turn, "What are you Drinking?"

The Kid looks like "Chucky"

Well I don't disagree with Sara's comment that this isn't the strongest shot, I don't think your description is accurate - or terribly appropriate. (Keep in mind that for all you know this is the daughter of my life-long best friend)

I'd say she just looks like a little kid having a meltdown.

rutt · February 11, 2010

bfjr wrote:

OK my turn, "What are you Drinking?"

The Kid looks like "Chucky"

What if Mark Twain had smileys?

thoth · February 11, 2010

rutt wrote:

What if Mark Twain had smileys?

He'd be the author of Amazon's most popular eBooks?

bfjr · February 11, 2010

bdcolen wrote:

Well I don't disagree with Sara's comment that this isn't the strongest shot, I don't think your description is accurate - or terribly appropriate. (Keep in mind that for all you know this is the daughter of my life-long best friend) I'd say she just looks like a little kid having a meltdown.

B. D. do really think/believe I was making disparaging comments about your
friend or his child?

Well if you do, let me clarify. I was only referring to Rutt's comment versus the child's
actual expression in this image.

bfjr · February 11, 2010

rutt wrote:

What if Mark Twain had smileys?

My Orginal questions remains, What are You Drinkin?
:s85

bdcolen · February 11, 2010

bfjr wrote:

B. D. do really think/believe I was making disparaging comments about your
friend or his child?

Well if you do, let me clarify. I was only referring to Rutt's comment versus the child's
actual expression in this image.

That may be - and I don't take the comment personally because the child isn't mine, nor is she the child of close friends. I have, however, taken the photo down as the comment is disparaging - even though I don't take it personally

- and on the odd chance that the parents should stumble on this...

bfjr · February 11, 2010

bdcolen wrote:

That may be - and I don't take the comment personally because the child isn't mine, nor is she the child of close friends. I have, however, taken the photo down as the comment is disparaging - even though I don't take it personally - and on the odd chance that the parents should stumble on this...

Disappointing to hear you feel that way.

bdcolen · February 12, 2010

bfjr wrote:

Disappointing to hear you feel that way.

Don't be disappointed, and again let me stress that I don't take any of this personally. But ask yourself this - would you be happy to see a photo of your daughter labeled "Chuckie?" That's really the only point I was trying to make.:D

rainbow · February 12, 2010

bdcolen wrote:

Don't be disappointed, and again let me stress that I don't take any of this personally. But ask yourself this - would you be happy to see a photo of your daughter labeled "Chuckie?" That's really the only point I was trying to make.:D

The picture changed before I thought to comment. The new one is a very pleasing shot of a birthday girl.

When I saw the first one, I reacted with "Why would you post THIS picture of the girl as it is not flattering nor did it communicate the sense of family that the set on your site conveyed (which I had viewed previous to seeing this post). It would make sense as one in a series and one that the parents would appreciate after a long day (and probably missing her nap). But I thought it a strange choice by itself and while taken aback by the "Chuckie" reference, understood it well. Perhaps you can comment on your original selection.

The second question I had is whether it is prudent to post shots of those you know if it might raise issues from others commenting on it, whether flattering or not. I have no hesitation to post a street shot of those I never met -- that is the idea of "street" and being in public. But many of my best are of those I know and I do not consider posting most of them because they are often not shot in a public place (like this birthday party) and I do not want to answer to them if perchance it reaches wider dissemination.

bfjr · February 12, 2010

bdcolen wrote:

Don't be disappointed, and again let me stress that I don't take any of this personally. But ask yourself this - would you be happy to see a photo of your daughter labeled "Chuckie?" That's really the only point I was trying to make.:D

You have completely misunderstood and misrepresented my original comment to Rutt.

Remember I made two on this post. the 1st one was to you the second in response to Rutt's precious
comment. I did not call the child or label her "Chuckie" only the expression in the image.

My god B. D. you think calling an image of a Child "Chuckie" is gong to throw me or any parent into
a Tizzy? If you do then I suggest there's a far deeper problem for the viewer then just the "Label".

Personally I do not live in fear of "Words", remember you called my work "Crude" and I'm still here.
(and as far as you know, those girls could be my wife and sister)

I remain disappointed more so be your recent comment.

thoth · February 12, 2010

bfjr wrote:

You have completely misunderstood and misrepresented my original comment to Rutt.

Remember I made two on this post. the 1st one was to you the second in response to Rutt's precious
comment. I did not call the child or label her "Chuckie" only the expression in the image.

My god B. D. you think calling an image of a Child "Chuckie" is gong to throw me or any parent into
a Tizzy? If you do then I suggest there's a far deeper problem for the viewer then just the "Label".

Personally I do not live in fear of "Words", remember you called my work "Crude" and I'm still here.
(and as far as you know, those girls could be my wife and sister)

I remain disappointed more so be your recent comment.

I'm afraid I'm going to side with B.D. on this one (wow, it's been a while since I've said that

). Although you comment wasn't directly to B.D., the outcome is the same. Many folks here are posting shots they've taken for paying customers and would prefer not to have the individuals directory insulted in the comments. I know you were just having a little fun but these aren't hardened photographers getting critiqued here. If you were in the weddings section would you say, "Wow, what an ugly bride!" or comment on the quality of the shot itself?

As for your comparison to the "crude" comment, I don't think there is one. B.D. called your humor crude, not the two women in the shot.

Richard · February 12, 2010

Let me suggest that we not get all bent out of shape here. We all know that Internet comments are sometimes misinterpreted because they lack the information that face to face communication contains. Stuff happens, but let's move on, OK?

bfjr · February 12, 2010

thoth wrote:

I'm afraid I'm going to side with B.D. on this one (wow, it's been a while since I've said that ). Although you comment wasn't directly to B.D., the outcome is the same. Many folks here are posting shots they've taken for paying customers and would prefer not to have the individuals directory insulted in the comments. I know you were just having a little fun but these aren't hardened photographers getting critiqued here. If you were in the weddings section would you say, "Wow, what an ugly bride!" or comment on the quality of the shot itself?

As for your comparison to the "crude" comment, I don't think there is one. B.D. called your humor crude, not the two women in the shot.

Wait B.D. not a hardened Photog, please.
Posting paying customers images here, doesn't seem correct ??
I never insulted anybody, again only in reference to Rutt's precious comment.

To me this is precious:

This is not:

The above images are of my Wife & GK, however you may comment as you wish because
my family is far to grounded to let unguarded words dislodge them.

Oh and he didn't say "Crude Humor" only "Crude".

thoth · February 12, 2010

bfjr wrote:

Wait B.D. not a hardened Photog, please.

... snip ...

Oh and he didn't say "Crude Humor" only "Crude".

I wonder if you're really reading what's being said to you. If not then you're not going to so I'll just leave you to it.

bfjr · February 12, 2010

Richard wrote:

Let me suggest that we not get all bent out of shape here. We all know that Internet comments are sometimes misinterpreted because they lack the information that face to face communication contains. Stuff happens, but let's move on, OK?

Richard,

My apologies to you and the Forum if you feel I have been disruptive.
I was only expressing my feelings/disagreement with the OP.
Perhaps, as has been pointed out I am not seeing/reading the whole picture (pun intended).
As unfinished as this is (for me) I will abide by your suggestion and let it go.

Flyinggina · February 13, 2010

I am late to the party, but I actually liked the first (now removed) photo because it showed reality - at that moment at least.

Most one year olds don't understand the concept of a birthday party. For sure, I've never seen one hold up with a happy face throughout a first birthday party. IMHO, such events for children that young are more for the adults than for the child. If a child wants to be fussy under those circumstances, makes sense to me.

As a parent or grandparent, I would treasure that picture. I'll bet they don't have a lot like that. It shows an expression that they probably see daily but never think of capturing with a camera.

I shall now go look at the photos on BD's site where I gather there are lots with the birthday girl smiling.

Btw, I confess I had to google chucky to find out what all the excitement was about. If it weren't for google I wouldn't be able to navigate the modern world. Now, all I need to be up to date is a cell phone with camera.

Virginia

Birthday Girl

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