PotW 26 September 2006

[the foto fanatic]

My wife, the lovely mrs cricketfan (hello darling ), sometimes has difficulty making a decision when several options are available. When this happens, she blames it on her Gemini star sign, which apparently makes her susceptible to seeing the positives in each alternative.

I, on the other hand, am a Leo, and so I suffer from the affliction of being infallible. I am from the school that says making no decision is far worse than making the wrong decision.

But even I faced a dilemma in having to choose this week's PotW! Such an eclectic mix of top-class photographs makes selecting one photo a near impossible task, Leos included. But, as they say in the classics, “cometh the hour, cometh the man", so I feel I am up to it.

Let me share with you the agonies of this decision-making process.

I could have chosen this undersea creature:
http://www.petsforum.com/personal/Trevo ... NH06-2.jpg

It may have easily been this b&w architecture shot with a difference:
http://flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=246267199&size=l

This tranquil water scene would have been a worthy winner:
http://www.sutcliffegallery.com.au/post ... atshed.jpg

Or this moody portrait:
http://elffinarts.com/pic/albums/faith/ ... 191-01.jpg

Even this political statement:
http://www.leighlo.com/spore/galleries/ ... 259-BW.jpg

Perhaps a nature shot (I love this one!):
http://petelee.smugmug.com/photos/97497532-M.jpg

Or a fantastic macro, or a tasteful nude, or an arty flower shot, or an unusual image of a statue…

Anyway you get the drift. Any one of these outstanding pix (or numerous others, too many to list here) could have been PotW this week. They all certainly deserve acclaim.

But it is a Leo I am, so unflinchingly I have chosen this week's PotW for many reasons. Yes, it is perfectly exposed; yes, the composition (particularly in the revised square format) is terrific; and yes, the subject is as cute as a button.

However, what I see in this wonderful portrait is the innocence and vulnerability of childhood. There is a slight apprehension evident (perhaps exaggerated by the higher camera position), but also a degree of acceptance and trust. It has elements of a formal portrait with studio- like lighting and backdrop, yet the casual shirt and tousled hair also indicate a candid shot in a fairly relaxed atmosphere. And you could sink right into those blue eyes.



All in all, it is a wonderful image from our man in Far North Queensland, marcotrov. Congratulations Marco!

Here is the original thread, and I hope you get as much enjoyment from this outstanding image as I have:
http://www.dslrusers.com/viewtopic.php?p=251626#251626

[sheepie]

Nicely chosen, and a great description of the difficulty you guys have each week with the fantastic quality of the photo's posted! In the end, it's the photo that most appealed to the person choosing in the week - for whatever reason. In this case I think you've got it right

Congrats marco, a lovely portrait!

[Glen]

Well done Marco, I liked this shot from the moment I saw it

[Manta]

An excellent choice Trevor and one I doubt will raise any contention whatsoever.

Marco - my apologies for missing this the first time around - trying to keep track of two forums hacks great chunks of time from one's day and inevitably results in things being missed on both.

I'm so pleased Trevor did the right thing by those of us who hadn't seen this wonderful image before. I couldn't agree more with his praise for the shot - it's a stunner. Congratulations.

[Oneputt]

An excellent choice. This is a beautiful poignant image that I loved when I first saw it. Well done Marco.

[Alex]

An excellent choice and as I said before, a fantastic portrait! Well done!

Alex

[ABG]

Congratulations Marco. A wonderful photo.

[MHD]

Very nice shot, brilliantly and artfully captured...

[sirhc55]

I could not agree more with Trevor - this is one of those shots in a lifetime and Marco, you are the lucky bugger to have taken it - heartfelt congratulations on a superb image

[Geoff]

Congrats Marco - a beautifully captured image!!

[Alpha_7]

Love the shot the first time I saw it, and the revised crop just makes it stronger! Thanks for giving us an incite into your decision Trevor, with the amount of quality shots some people are turning out, it's must get hard for you guys to pick just one shot each week.

[stubbsy]

That's a great image Marco - congrats and well done. Interestingly this image also illustrates the benefits of photo forums like this in that after feedback on the original crop this much better crop was arrived at.

[Greg B]

Great shot Marco, congratulations

[Kellogs]

Awesome shot Marco, just unreal!!!

[blacknstormy]

Marco - it is a truely beautiful photo- congratulations on POTW, it is well deserved
Hugs
Rel

[cawdor]

Great photo Marco, congrats on POTW
The eyes on the kid are just wonderful.

[Oscar]

WOderful image Marco. Well captured. Cheers, Mick

[sirhc55]

Although I have made comment on this photo already I have to add that everytime I open the browser the first thing that hits me is the beauty of this shot - most certainly (IMO) pic of the year

[zafra52]

Congratulations! You did well in capturing that angelic face and inquisitive look.

[ATJ]

A truly stunning shot - which is saying something for someone not being all that fond of kids.

[marcotrov]

Hi guys
Just returned late last night from my September/Oct sojourn up in the gulf country of Carpentaria. I must admit having been very excited to have learned through my emails, hell of a load to catch up on, that I had been lucky enough to be selected for POTW.

Lucky being the operative word as Trevor stated, thank you trevor for your vote of confidence , the excellent images on show in that week is testimony to the strength and depth of photographic talent, skill and creativity. I am humbled by this selection.

As Peter also mentions I think part of the accolade goes to this forum and those that comment, in this case offering the suggestion of the vertical or square crop which just further enhanced the image.
I thank you all for the kind comments and votes of confidence

Now once I finish the emails and cleanup (Oneput you know how big that can be after a trip and the measuring:wink: ) I will try and catch up on all the gossip on this terrific forum
cheers
marco