7.03.2006

In Black and White

Every year, since the very first year, I take a photo of my son around his birthday using black and white film. Even now, completly addicted to my digital camera, I fall back to print photography for the black and whites. I'm not quite sure why. Habit? Sense of control? No idea. I just do.

We take an entire roll of film. 24 pictures in shades of grey intended to capture the full essence of a boy through the years. We select a single 'winning' photo after great deliberation and that one joins the ones before it framed in our hallway - his age and the date marked below it. My daughter's photos hang on the wall across from my son's. It's a family tradition now.

The photos tend to be taken on our property - near the garden, next to a flower bed, up a tree. This year, however, I took my son to a grove of trees on the river bank. As a teenager, this was the spot my friends and I would hang out in. We'd carve intials of High School sweethearts one particular tree. Mine are still there in a heart - SR (me) + RS (the ex-idiot). This was not something I showed my now four year old. Perhaps someday when he's ready to carve his own initials into that poor tree.

I haven't selected a photo from this year's batch yet. I just can't seem to pick it. I waver. This year we've moving into a new frame. I'm not bound by orientation as I've been the last two years. Perhaps this is the problem because I can't narrow it down to just one. Anyone want to vote?

Here are my favorites currently in the running:




For an idea of what's already in our hallway, here is last years:
Three year portrait

And then Meg's first two photos: Baby Girl

Happy 1st Birthday girl (you'll have to scroll past the pig-tail display.)

17 comments:

kenju said...

That's a hard decision. He's so cute! I think I like the pensive one in the middle, but the other two are just as good.

Michele sent me.

scrappintwinmom said...

so cute! Here via michele!

Midori said...

Here from Michele`s!

Your kids are gorgeous and I LOVE the black and white pictures!

Unknown said...

THat is one handsome young man. I'd choose the top one, with the tree. The second one is good too, but I think he's squinting a bit. The last one is adorable, but the look on his face doesn't tell the store that the first one does.

Here via Michele

Anonymous said...

All are great, but I really love the one with him peaking from behind the tree. Although the one where he is sitting in the grass looks like something has caught his attention...the contrast of dark and light is really good too. Same with the second too. Tough choice!

I love black and whites

carmilevy said...

God, what stunning pictures. You're preaching to the choir vis-a-vis b&w and film. There's just something about it...

I'm scoping out a digital SLR to purchase - and typical of my picky ways, it's taking an age. But when I do, I'll be keeping my beloved old Nikon 35mm SLR for precisely these kinds of pictures.

Thanks for validating why the old ways still hold incredible value.

carmilevy said...

God, what stunning pictures. You're preaching to the choir vis-a-vis b&w and film. There's just something about it...

I'm scoping out a digital SLR to purchase - and typical of my picky ways, it's taking an age. But when I do, I'll be keeping my beloved old Nikon 35mm SLR for precisely these kinds of pictures.

Thanks for validating why the old ways still hold incredible value.

Anonymous said...

The one in the middle - he looks thoughtful

Dawn said...

Love them all, but the first one is my favorite!

Anonymous said...

I found you from Melessa... I vote for the top picture. It shows how much more grown up he is from last year's picture. :)

Shannon said...

I vote for the middle photo. I love the full-face angle and the thoughtful look on his adorable face.

Zee said...

Wow! What beautiful portraits! :)

kate said...

These are great! I think I prefer the second two, as they show his face more, but the first one is cute, too.

Cath said...

Totally stunning! You have a great eye!

Mandy said...

The last picture (of him squatting) gets my vote for a few reasons. The first is that it is different enough from the age 3 one in pose to stand alone. I also think that the way he seems to be lost in thought really captures the boy I picture in my head from all the stories!

They are all great, though.

thatgirl said...

I totally and completely agree with Mandy. The third photo, no question.

Anonymous said...

Hi Sandy! This is Grace, the intern from YTC a few years ago :o). Glad to see that everything's going well - I saw this and just HAD to put in my vote.

I don't feel like you can see enough of Logan in the first picture, and the second picture is just standard. The third photograph, though, perfectly captures the boyish essence and his entire body.

#3!!

Hope we get in touch soon!