Gordo in the Creek

@Dulcie: And if you knew how precious he is - you'd double down on that delicious comment. He's a great boy - having a fun time in our creek that runs through our yard... I just regret he didn't do this on the other bank - so I'd catch his reflection: but a photographer has to live with what he sees.

@Linerberry: Thanks Linerberry - you can imagine, I wasn't going to tell him to stop just then. Not sure why he was doing what he was doing, but as a dad/photographer: I was happy to see him doing this!

@P J W Miller: thanks P J W. I love the curls, and the water play in this photo. He is so intensely focused on his task at hand - glad you see that through the photo.

@Mirza Ahmad: Yes, I think refreshing is the right word - great choice of a description. Thank you.

@Marie-Hélène Ammor: All the children enjoy the water - but Gordo is the master of getting wet. He is so adorable, especially when he is in full concentration mode. I loved the colors, and the intensity: especially under the afternoon shade of the redwoods. Thank you for your kind words on the photo.

@nazanin: Nazanin, thanks,

@Denise: We pretty much bought the house so the kids had a creek - they adore the outdoors and we truly encourage the kids to get dirty and enjoy the land. Glad you like my adorable gordo. He does stop traffic, especially the women, when we walk downtown. His curly blonde hair, and bright blue eyes will get him in trouble with the women, I am sure, someday soon.

@john4jack: Thank you - I do believe he is pretty serious at his play, for being not even three yesterday.

@bluechameleon: I couldn't stop him for all the tea in china right then. He is very intense when he plays with water.

@Barbara: He's a great kid that really likes working in the water. I wish Gordo was a tad more sharp (say f/3.5) - but I like how the very sharp water, and bright colors draw you again. Once again, I really appreciate your detailed read of the photo, and how you really sense the emotive draw Gordo brings to me - very happy.

@Barbara: You have a truly amazing macro in your photo, glad to link it in my blog: makes me look even better!

@Mariana: well, some folks he gets that adorable hair and eyes from his dad... He's a great kid, and he loves to play in the water. thanks for the kind words on the photo. I think of Carly SImon's Let the River Run when I see Gordo in the water:

We the great and small
stand on a star
and blaze a trail of desire
through the darkening dawn

It's asking for the taking
Come run with me now
the sky is the colour of blue
you've never even seen
in the eyes of your lover

Oh, my heart is aching
We're coming to the edge
running on the water
coming through the fog
your sons and daughters

@rem_la: Merci. He is indeed a future gardener!

@Michael: Thank you Michael - it's great to have a digital camera - so you can really take many photos, and find just the right moment later. Glad you liked it.

@Ajay: Thanks Ajay - I miss those days from time to time myself: unstructured play, with no purpose other than appreciation of the wonders of life. I guess that's why I like photography: never know for sure what I'll find when I leave the house with the camera.

@Susan: gordos hair is darkening, specially in winter with less sun to bleach his hair. Yep, we found a radio flyer wheelbarrow for kids, and Dad insisted on it's purchase (still a kid at heart). Thanks for kind words on photo be well wishes for family.

@john4jack: gordo is her contemporary, turns three early July. So great at this age. I look forward to being a granddad in due time.

@Miss Ruthie: miss ruthis, you picked up on the second and third most favorite parts of the photo - only Gordo would top the water and wheelbarrow. Thanks for the great comments from you.

@B. Thomas: Can you imagine if we all worked this intensely as adults? He really loves playing with water, and this reminds us how important it is to enjoy what you do. Thanks for the comments, Bill

@Onlymehdi: Thank you - it was a fun shot to take.

@Sugata: Indeed. Gordo was very intent on his play that day!

@jamesy: Thanks - its a little soft, but I liked the composition, the colors, and his intensity.

@Mandy Provan: You're very kind. He was indeed being a BOY with capital letters. I am happy you're inspired by this, I find AM3 to be such a great forum to inspire us all.

@Sarito: Sarito - you are so right on the focus. Me too. I am still learning: and I find the 85mm portrait lens a real challenge at times: it is so easy to dial down the f/stop (to below f/2.0) and usually you don't get what you really want: but when you do it's magical. Not this time, though... Thanks for the honest feedback.

@xavier cardell: You are absolutely right about missing the focal point on this picture. I was focusing on the foreground element I wanted in sharp focus, and hoped it carried through to my son. Probably needed f/5.6 or f/8 to really achieve that. Live and learn, and keep practicing! Thanks for the honest feedback. Bill

@Ravi: Thanks Ravi!

@Mandy Provan: Yes, that's a great rule of thumb. I use it often. I can do a little better than 1/focal when I really concentrate and use techniques I learned when I trained as a sharpshooter. That's a great tip -thanks for sharing. for the 85mm particularly, it allows me to go to as wide open as f/1.2: and that can cause dramatically short DOF. Thanks for the very detailed post, and really appreciate you giving me that tip.

@Magda: thank you - we like gordo, think we'll keep him!