Stills

Magic, indeed. I so desperately want to see what she sees. The "ceiling" is frustratingly low--that's not really a quibble with the image. I know there was a good reason for the framing. But,it's just that the girl's gaze is so powerful and thrusts me upward and slams me against that ceiling. The image holds me and keeps me struggling to sneak a peek. I almost want to crane my neck and try to get in there so I can see "it"—it must be splendid. The water is gorgeous and so is her skin. The colors play well together.
 

The colors of the water combined with the colors in the child, swimsuit and goggles are very beautiful. I agree with John.
 

Agreed with above...

When a photo comes together as well as this I enjoy looking at the components and imagining them being different to see how important each is. For example, the goggles here add a lot...colour of course, but also in creating a boundary and returning my gaze to the gaze.

Anyway, such speculations aside...magic :-)
 

I have to thank you all for the comments.
Anita - I see what you mean, the ceiling does feel quite low (which it is in this place as well, but you cannot see that).
This picture does not receive a favourable mention from my wife as it is not in a standard family portrait view. For this reason I felt a little uncertain how it would be received but liked it enough to post anyway.
As an aside my wife also disliked this one http://roberthoehne.com/b2evolution/index.php/2008/04/30/i_won_a_printer, so much for her judgement :o)
 

You better take something that she likes!! Congratulations on the printer - I hope that you can afford the inks!
 

Robert, sometimes I think boundaries are very positive. It's that business of yearning to see what the girl sees, yet because I can't there is a dramatic tension in the image. Moreover, my not being able to see whatever captivates her is ultimatley ideal. That leaves me to imagine and to inject into that space my personal version of what may be wondrous and mesmerizing. Being stopped by that infernal ceiling just makes my experience of the image that much more active and personal.

I can't vote with the wife on this. But, I can enthusiastically vouch for the wisdom of keeping her happy. You never know when you might want to buy another lens, after all.
 

Martin Parr has an interesting view on the propaganda contained within the family photo album. I think this shot would prove his point and is confirmed by your wife's reaction. I think the gaze is what keeps this off the mantelpiece. It looks so distant and focussed yet at the same time seems completely empty and free. A lovely palette of colours and the reflections/lights on the surface of the water add some dynamism.

The link to Mr. Parr's conversation: http://www.boring.ch/waapn/incoming/podcasts/martin_parr.mp3
 

I'm listening to Martin Parr as I write! I think his analysis of the family album is spot on but I'm not sure that Robert's picture falls outside Parr's 'propaganda' imagery - except that it doesn't conform to the eye contact normally expected.
 

This is a wonderful combination of elements and it captivates my interest, really a moment in time.

Compositionally, not one that I would initially consider as a keeper if I were photographing the kids, but nevertheless, seen here, it has a nice mystery about it, and well balanced. So now a very nice keeper! well done.
 

'It looks so distant and focussed yet at the same time seems completely empty and free.'

I'm struggling with the gaze. She looks almost rapturous, but I'm not sure how to interpret that without seeing the subject of her focus. I might be with your wife on this one.

Brilliant color, though, and generally excellent use of light.
 

Enthralled? The unusual angles make this an interesting composition.