Teenage Runaway - A Parents Nightmare [Contest Winner Pool October 2007 ]
Uploaded: October 28, 2007 19:03:25
A recent story of a teenage runaway touched me deeply. It would be a nightmare for me not to know where my son was staying or sleeping, or if he was safe, fed and warm. Many teens think they are running to a better place and a better life with no rules, yet end up living in fear and squalor unable to get back home. I asked my son to model for me in an old abandoned cabin to create an image that shows how many runaway teens end up living. I hope that someone thinking of running sees this image and decides to stay home with their families who love them. I have mixed emotions seeing my son in this image. I feel extremely lucky that he is a happy, healthy teenager and thank God, that he is safe and warm here with us. On the other hand, my heart breaks for all those parents who do not know where their child is tonight.
Andy Robinson October 28, 2007
Great image! Love the tones, emotion and mood! #773199Cindy Bendush October 28, 2007
Good for you for portraying something few want to see in order to call attention to this teen plight Heather. And, kudos to your son for such a job well done modeling - great expression! #4997429Jennifer L. Alder October 29, 2007
I AGREE! Very touching image, Heather!Megan p October 29, 2007
This is excellent!! I am not there yet with teenagers, but gosh this hits home! well done! #4999020Linda D. Lester November 04, 2007
Excellent shot....It is so sad to think they want to run away! Also there are always two sides to every story! Which is sad too. Great job! #5025877Murry Grigsby November 14, 2007
Great idea, setup and image Heather! Your son's pose is very well done also. I hope your photo and hard work will keep at least one child home with family but better yet a whole bunch? #5074701"emmanuel ""nolax""" N. Montemar November 16, 2007
wow! the treatment is superb! may I know the filter you used on this one, Heather? thanks. #5082095"emmanuel ""nolax""" N. Montemar November 16, 2007
wow! the treatment is superb! may I know the filter you used on this one, Heather? thanks. #5082096Heather K. McFarland November 16, 2007
No filter was used at all Nolax. It is an HDR image. Meaning I took 3 different exposures on a tripod ( EV's -2, 0, +2), only one with my son in it. Then combined the 3 exposures with Photomatix and other work in PS. #5083606Heather K. McFarland November 16, 2007
Oh and I forgot. I did use the Dragan action on the image also. #5083612Margot Petrowski November 26, 2007
Congrats....wonderful and thought-provoking!!! #5127604Melissa Olsen November 26, 2007
Congrats Heather, I love this image!! #5127811Kay E. Mahoney November 26, 2007
Congratulations on your finalist, Heather. #5128046anonymous November 26, 2007
Congratulations Heather on your finalist! B- #5128197Cynthia L. Deters November 26, 2007
Great story. Wonderful idea. Congrats on the finalist! #5129437Wende Trew November 26, 2007
This is soooo AWESOME and very moving image to me! Congrats on a well deserved finalist!!! #5129769Cary Rogers November 26, 2007
Congratulation on this Finalist, Heather! Great lighting, textures, composition, and earthy colors! #5130105Megan p November 26, 2007
Congratulations Heather!!! #5130505Terry L. Ellis November 26, 2007
A compelling finalist, Heather! Huge congratulations! #5131053Lindley Johnson November 26, 2007
Excellent image, Heather, with an important message. Nicely conceived and executed. Your son did a great job, too. Congratulations on your finalist. #5131074Kathy L. Clark November 26, 2007
Heather this is such a wonderful image. Very well deserving as a finalist. Congrats my friend. #5131283Amanda Chapman November 26, 2007
P O W E R F U L !!!!!!!!!!!!!Deserves to be sitting in the finalist seat!
The clarity & definition is perfect! #5131634
Erin Tyler November 27, 2007
Congratulations on your finalist! #5134530Nadya Johnson November 27, 2007
Awesome photo Heather, and the message is compelling! Congratulations on your outstanding finalist! #5135667Karen Engelbreth November 27, 2007
Congratulations Heather! #5136272Jennifer Rennison November 27, 2007
Very moving, emotional image, Heather!! Excellent work, congratulations on your finalist! #5137041Michael Umbreit November 27, 2007
Heather - Congratulations on your finalist! - Mike #5137620Jeff Robinson November 27, 2007
A powerful image Heather and a very well deserved Finalist! Great Job! Jeff #5137641Linda Blair November 28, 2007
Soooo powerful...a big congrats on this finalist!!!!! ☺ #5144224Luca Diana December 10, 2007
Thanks for this wonderful shot, Heather, and the great caption.Luca
www.lucadiana.net #5191993
Richard D. Amelio December 11, 2007
Very Very creative, another great job #5195146Lisa J. Boulden December 26, 2007
Such a powerful image, Heather!Carolyn M. DAlessandro July 02, 2008
I totally agree with you Heather,I also have a son whom I feel blessed knowing he is well...but it has become epidemic what is happening with our children. Your image is outstanding, powerful, and well done!! #6131946Lynn Haack August 24, 2008
Just enjoying a stroll through your amazing gallery.....this one really touched my heart. Amazing emotion in this image...your son and you did an excellent job! My son's friend ran away and stayed in an abandoned shack for days. His family was frantic! The story does not turn out well....he went on to commit a robbery (not at all in his nature.) Illegal drugs.....destroys so many lives. #6361385Sign up for an interactive online photography course to get critiques on your photos.
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