Thursday, June 24, 2010

Where's Brian??????!!!!!!!

I was really excited about getting this photo! I spotted all this indirect natural light coming in from the windows, and a perfect railing to "collect" my family at Dianna's graduation. This is indoors in the same building that a breakfast/Jazz concert was held, on the morning of Dianna's graduation. Some of my family took the elevator to the top of the stairs, and everyone arranged and grouped themselves in various collections along the railing.
I employed my bossiest self, trying to get everyone quickly positioned for 1 or two shots, and drafted a kind bystander. I knew there would just be brief moments that other visitors to the building would pause and kindly let us get the shot.

I had my external flash (Nikon SB800) all set and ready to go, so that I could get some fill flash, given the backlighting, manual mode, f/7.1, 1/125,ISO 400, and 16-85mm lens at 30 mm.

Here are a few cropped images, breaking the larger photo into 2 smaller to show more of the detail of us. I was really excited about this photo, and pleased that the railing seemed to provide much more casual, relaxed body language rather than the usual line-up.

I put off editing the photo for awhile, thinking about it, wanting to make sure I took some time with it. But guess what I discovered this morning as I took a look at it!

Brian (the guy in the BLUE on the right in this last photo) had pulled a vanishing act! It wasn't until this morning that I realized that he's not in the photo at all! Gone! Vanished!

You know how sometimes you can't find something, but you feel compelled to keep going back and looking in the same places to find it--the key, or the phone, or whatever--even though you've already looked at that exact same spot several times and it's not there. Our brains just seem to want to complete the gestalt. Well, because I could swear I had also "bossed" Brian into position along with everyone else (who all, I might add, were extremely cooperative, and kind, and SHOWED UP IN THE PHOTO), I keep going back to this shot and searching to see if Brian is really there, but I've misplaced him somehow.

Nope. Not there. And I don't think the magic eraser of Photoshop did away with him either. See that railing in front of everyone? Do you think it would be bad form for me to next time HANDCUFF a certain family member into place for the group shot?

10 comments:

Maria said...

I really, really like this photo, and, if you don't mind, I may just have to borrow it to add it to my collection. I think handcuffing Brian next time would be completely acceptable, though. No jury in the world, if it were composed strictly of mothers, would convict you. And you were not that bossy . . . you just recognized a perfect opportunity for a group photo and got it done. Maybe if there weren't so many photographers in our midst . . .

Jeanne said...

LOL at Maria's comment about a jury of moms not convicting you! What a great photo! The railing is a perfect way to create a much more relaxed post. You are awesome to have thought of it.

Did you ask Brian where the heck he went off to?

Reds said...

LOL - too funny about the vanishing Brian!! And what a great family group shot!!

Joanne said...

Those are great family shots! I love seeing them!

Kelly said...

Poor Brian, I think you should pshop him back into it, at least for giggles haha

Nicki said...

Why do I have the feeling this isn't the first time you have pondered handcuffing Brian (his face just has that mischief hint to it). Lovely group shot - well done on the lighting.

Suzy said...

AI loove these! Thanks for sharing your settings to! Very cool stair capture!

Bobbi said...

It's like Home Alone all over again ;) Go for the handcuffs next time for sure. What a great spot find though!

janett said...

Ha, I love that you didn't even notice Brian wasn't in the picture!!! I get like that too, when I want something done I zone everything else out! These are great memories!

Christi said...

Beautiful family photo! The railing was perfect. Maybe you could photoshop Brian into the picture. LOL