Are these okay? And which is better?

[ChristusG]

I got some great shots of my 14 month old playing in the sprinkler. Are these fairly good shots? I mean, how's the focus and the exposure and everything?

Also, which do you prefer? I'm going to get it blown up to an 11x14. Do you like the full color, the B&W, or the one with only the B&W background? One last thing.....do you think I should take the words off of the photo?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v224/ChristusG/persum.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v224/ChristusG/persum3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v224/ChristusG/persumframed.jpg

[BenHammer]

Thats just magic, no matter what you do with it - the story is great and the capture rings for me. As to focus its right on by my eye, but someone can always give a suggestion. For me it clicks as a great picture.

[lostdoggy]

Love it. Wonderful!!!
My favorite would be the BW.
But I think I would blow up the Color & BW combo. It would certainly impress anyone looking. If that matters.

[witchy]

Gorgeous shot, very clear. I like them all but the third one stands out :)

[MCB]

I agree, it's a great shot! I like each of the three versions, with the third coming in slightly ahead of the others.

One thing that might look neat is less color in the third one. There's a lot to play with. Maybe have his tounge be pink, but slighly desaturated from the normal tone. Then make the water drops all blue. Yeah, the drops would be a bit of work, but it might look really neat. :) Worth a try if you have time.

And I agree with Lostdoggy. It would look great blown up to 8x10 or larger and matted in a nice frame. :)

[juneappal]

I like the first the most, then the third. The third might grab me more if you desaturate the close background as well (don't I see a bluish tinge to the gravel under his right arm?)

I would definitely lose the words. It is a absolutely fantastic picture that stands on its own, and says so much more than "perfect summer. The words limit the picture, and give it a little too much of a marketing pitch feel for me.

Great shot - without the text I could look at it every day, and he isn't even my kid.

[djonto]

I prefer the first, but then again, I love black & white anyway

[uvadtmfub]

I think the photograph is a wonderful capture as it is, so I would definitely say you should take those words out, especially the word "SUMMER", the multi-colour is a bit distracting for me and takes my attention away from the picture. Perhaps you can just put a simple title in the bottom border of the picture if you really want to incorporate "The Perfect Summer" into it. The photograph is an excellent shot! So don't clutter it with other things. :)

[LadyHawk]

I like one the most but they are all great. Beautiful capture! I also think the words should go...

[RAitch]

I wouldn't lose the words... I'd just take all that colour out. They're a magnet for your eyes and that's not the first thing you want to draw attention to. I'd want my eyes to zero in on the subject, get a feel for the mood, let my eyes wander around the image where I'd find the text reenforcing the mood of the image.

Perhaps something 50% transparent... or at least a single neutral colour (not to draw attention).

Nice catch!

[SpencerK Mom]

I like the 3rd one the best. I think you could easily take out the words because the picture already conveys that idea perfectly.

[miklav]

to me the lights look burnt out on the forehead and on the neck in BW version

[tim]

B&W for me, they're all great though :)

[Maureen Souza]

These are wonderful!!! What a fun photo..... I think I like #3 best but I would tone down the color of her clothes just a little as so not to distract from that face.

[PhotosGuy]

Nice shot!
#2. I like the 'summer' colors & might leave the text in. Just blend down the white garage in the top left.
I wouldn't frame it in PS for a print. Matte it & it will look better framed.