Father&#39;s family photos capture the delightful chaos of youth

Perhaps it is obvious to state that achomatic tonality works formally in a different way than does color relationships; within this restricted system, contrast of highlight and shadow and texture and detail in value gradients may be emphasized more than a color version of the image might (completely dependent on particular scene, of course). I think most of these images seem an appropriate use of b/w to punctuate spaces and these tonal relationships interestingly (to me). In this way, I don't immediately think of the absence of color so much as formal impact employing b/w.

Apr 2, 2014permalink

tompabes2

The shots are good, this can't be denied IMO. Interesting angles, technically well executed and they deliver the message, which is quite an achievement per se for a photographer.

Apr 3, 2014permalink

ekidhardt2

I think taking color away simplifies the photo. It's easier to not get distracted by the other elements of the photo. For example, let's say the background is a technicolor rainbow painted wall--it could be so noisy that the focus of the subject changes.

I also think it serves as a bit of a dream-like world. After all, are your memories in color? I think mine are more snapshots of black and white if I were to describe them. I very much enjoy black and white :)

Sep 14, 2014permalink

DarnGoodPhotos

I particularly like #2 and #13.

Apr 1, 2014permalink

gandu

These pictures are not bad or offensive in any way, they are nice, but not exceptional, forgetting technical stuff. Most of you just go for the 'hip', 'nostalgic', 'artistic', 'simple is powerful' but actually dull and unexciting B&W. You actually get a rise out of the 'freedom' and 'purity' from the nudity, not much different than the people who are offended by it-2 sides of the same coin.

Mar 31, 2014*permalink

Your first point is a broad assumption, followed by an proclamation without qualification. Your second point, perhaps with a degree of merit based on select responses, ignores many who simply view nudity in a neutral way, without too much by way of associations stemming from it.

Mar 31, 2014permalink

gandu

Thank you Socrates. I'll be more direct. I will make another broad assumption that most of you lemmings who just don't get it. Meanwhile, this guy who clearly does not believe in birth control is pimping his 'art' at $3k per photo, and I'm not referring to the nudity, I'm talking about the intimate treasured moments he shares with his family. I understand that some people need to make money, but at some point you have to ask how much of your soul you are willing to put out for monetary gain. Now about the nudity - do you know how many pervs there are on the web? Don't be naive lemmings, stop singing kumbaya while hugging a tree, listening to hare krishna and eating a raw pizza.

Mar 31, 2014permalink

kadardr

Where is nudity?

Apr 4, 2014permalink

Paul Farace

Numbers 9, 10, and the last one... WOW!
The child trough the rainy window is a masterpiece IHMO!

Mar 30, 2014permalink

Kurt_K

A wonderful set of photographs. Makes me nostalgic for my own childhood.

Mar 30, 2014permalink

Pierre Louis

Lovely shots!

Mar 30, 2014permalink

bj klin

Beautiful. Can't imagine life happier than that. Well done.

Mar 30, 2014permalink

stewg01

Excellent set of photos - Whether some are staged or not, who cares and as to the people who are disturbed by the sight of a kids naked bum _ Let me quote a verse I read 'somewhere' - "If thy eye offend thee, pluck it out" - or better still go look at sites of flowers or wee furry animals.
To those who complain about the lack of colour, search the site as many of the 'Family' photos are shown in colour. I, myself prefer the b/w images as colour can be distracting at times.
Keep up with the good work Alain and good luck, as I don't think I could live in a house with so many females ;-)

Mar 29, 2014permalink

Wildbegonia

The inmediacy of everyday life, the story telling of a simple detail in a moment are priceless here. Thank you for sharing. Love # 13.

Mar 29, 2014*permalink

MichaelIsGreat4

These pictures would be SO MUCH BETTER IN COLOR!!!

There is this false idea (sometimes even snobbish, falsely "hip" idea) that quality pictures ought to be in black and white! Wrong!! It is much worse when a good picture is in black and white than if it would have been color.
Why? We live in a world full of colors, WE DO NOT LIVE IN A WORLD THAT IS BLACK AND WHITE!!!!!!

Thanks for sharing anyway these pictures.

Mar 29, 2014*permalink

I absolutely love saturated colors but personally I find these pictures intensified by the clever use of black and white. By clever I mean it's not just black and white, it's black and white done right. I think how the subjects in these photo will feel when they look at these pictures 30, 40 and 50 years from now and how the use of black and white will intensify the nostalgic feeling. I find nothing snobbish in using black and white. It all depends on the subject matter and the feeling the photographer is trying to convey. Have you ever seen Ansel Adams work ? Do you think he would only shoot color today just because the technology allows it ? The fact that we live in a world that is not black and white is totally irrelevant.

Mar 29, 2014permalink

ironcam

@ Michel F. I think only 9 and 10 are better in BW. And some of these, like 3, 6 and 13 don't work at all. In 3 for example, the kitchen appliances are brighter than the kids and their skin has the same tonality as the table and walls. At 13 the kid's face is also melting into the wall.

Mar 29, 2014*permalink

Michael, your opinion about color vs. b/w appears to suffer from a rather narrow perception. No we do not live in a b/w world; and since relatively early in the twentieth century, when color film became more available, photographers have made artistic decisions to use b/w - yes, an abstraction of what we see naturally. I see no need to promote exclusivity of one format or the other. In this case, b/w seems to serve details and textures in gradiated shadows. It is not a vacuously hip application.

Mar 29, 2014permalink

Michael_13

@ MichaelIsGreat4:
You sound a bit narrow-minded to me. Saying monochrome photos are bad because of the availability of color is like saying paintings are useless because of the availability of photography.

I usually also prefer colors, but in this context, b&w gives a "dreamy" impression, in my opinion.

Mar 30, 2014permalink

Paul Farace

True, our world is full color (unless you're colorblind)... but photos are NOT REALITY!!! They are two-dimensional representations of that reality and BW images are a way of emphasizing content, what is happening, rather than the totality... just as you might darken boarders to bring the viewer to the main subject... BW says LOOK AT THIS DETAIL... and not the totality! NOW GO SIT IN A CORNER AND FACE THE WALL while you look at all the work of great photojournalists of the last 160 years!!! :o)

Mar 30, 2014*permalink

DarnGoodPhotos

I think he should have compromised with the Sepia filter.

Apr 1, 2014permalink

Norit974

c'est magnifique, le genre d'images qui crée de l'emotion. bravo.

Mar 29, 2014permalink

Digitall

I think that one day, these half naked children, say "Thanks Dad" for registering such beautiful moments of our freedom, of our childhood and family. Or simply "Thank You Father"
Personally I find them fantastic, inspiring and a beautiful photographic moment in family. Deserve to be printed. Congrats!

Mar 29, 2014permalink

Ditto !

Mar 29, 2014permalink

Felts

Whilst they are all lovely photos, I find most of them to be well captured and composed 'snaps'. A couple are really wonderful and the shadow picture with the cat is genius.

Mar 28, 2014permalink

Nello, I believe to conflate nudity with sexuality is a mistake often made - and that is particularly inappropriate given the overall context of this work. That said, I can sympathize with sensitivity relating to nude representations of children, a situation certainly changed by the realities of the internet. Sally Mann's work as referenced by some is an interesting comparison, but it is fair to say that circumstances are different; what that difference means I can't say.

What is ultimately presented in this work is an appreciation of youth and a father's engagement with his children. Most of us relate, to some degree or another, with children, whether parents or not - their natural explorations, play, wonderfully creative perceptions, or maybe just their frenetic inclinations. These images capture this dynamic condition so compellingly. Both in larger content as well as photographic execution, I find them really enjoyable.

Mar 28, 2014permalink

skygkar

Brought nostalgia of my own childhood :-)
Thanks !

Mar 28, 2014permalink

vadims

Something is wrong with this world if such fantastic pictures can provoke anything but sheer admiration and respect...

Mar 28, 2014permalink

brimo

Delightful images...

Mar 28, 2014permalink

John Gray

Absolutely wonderful and inspirational pictures.

Mar 28, 2014permalink

PaulDavis

These are truly fantastic photos.

Mar 28, 2014permalink

joyclick

fantastic photos.The BW have made a greater impact. Coloured stuff wouldn't have been so powerful.I don't think the dad made these photos to make money.Sick minded viewers are already raising a hue and cry about what essentially are fun photos and the dad is sharing them out of joy.Dirty minds are reading nakedness.Shame you have these sentiments.

Mar 27, 2014permalink

The pictures are fantastic! As a father that takes a lot of kid pics, it's inspiring to sometimes see unique perspective to apply to our own work. It shows you don't always need the eyes, a smile, a face in the scene to capture the moment.

Don't get disheartened by the comments from all the grumpy old people in here. They have nothing else to do.

Mar 27, 2014permalink

Hey, I resent that. I am a grumpy old man, and I love these photos. :)

Mar 27, 2014permalink

Geordie1974

These photos made my day. Utter joy.

Mar 27, 2014permalink

Nello

Aaah yes I forgot, it's 2014 so it's ok to take photos of your half naked kids and sell them over the internet. I wonder what the naked kid with the muddy feet will say when grown-up knowing that dad made money out of this "art".

Mar 27, 2014permalink

khunfred

These kids are not "half naked". They wear decent clothes, as every kid wears at the beach. If you think it's indecent, it's your personal moral that overrides your photographic judgment. You can think what you want, but you can't impose your moral to others people, as long they respect the common laws.

Mar 27, 2014permalink

Jovan80

I think that you have a problem with children. Probably you are the only one on this site that is looking at this photos thinking about sex.

Mar 27, 2014permalink

You must be a blast to hang out with.

Mar 27, 2014permalink

Geordie1974

I'd be happy for anyone's morality to over ride their photographic judgement, but Nello's moral compass is pointing in the wrong direction and revealing more about his / her mind than Alain's. This isn't pornography hiding as art, it's love revealed without hinderance. The fact that the nudity is even being raised as an issue is in itself perverse. As for making money out of it, people make money out of beauty all the time, good for them. Perhaps we'd rather they made money from hate and suppression or the perverse, commoditised relationship modern life has with bodies and youth as revealed in all too many adverts, music videos and the like. And lastly, why would any of these children look back on these pictures with shame? Unless we teach them they're shameful, which with opinions like Nello's is all too likely. If my dad had taken pictures like these of me I'd see them as lasting testimonies to his love, and his sharing of that expression as a beautiful thing. (contd...)

Mar 27, 2014permalink

Geordie1974

(...contd) Well done Alain for reflecting people's minds back to them, this is such an important, vital thing to happen in this weird, perverse world we've created.

Mar 27, 2014permalink

Nello, I worry about you. You see things no one else does. It's your mind. Next you will start listening to songs backwards looking for messages from Satan.

Mar 27, 2014permalink

You need help pronto.

Mar 29, 2014permalink

DarnGoodPhotos

The kid will probably thank his father for putting bread on the table.

Apr 1, 2014permalink

Alain Laboile

Thanks all for your comments, some of them are really... interesting.

Mar 27, 2014permalink

Ivan Lietaert

Thank you for having the courage to share these pictures. I am a father of three myself, and all your picture are very recognisable. I am sure that your children will be thankful to you for these pictures when they are grown.
It is sad that in this day and age, creative people are being attacked for being... creative. Please continue recording your family life for posterity.

You are in good company:
http://sallymann.com/selected-works/family-pictures

Mar 27, 2014*permalink

Big thumbs up! Fantastic work! I love your eye.

Mar 27, 2014permalink

Alain, your children probably don't appreciate your efforts right now but I can only think of how they will treasure it in the next decades. I find your work fantastic and creative. Hopefully they will beinspired by it and follow in your footsteps. Merci.

Mar 29, 2014permalink

meanwhile

Wonderful shots Alain. I enjoyed #13 especially.

Mar 30, 2014permalink

plasnu

Really great pictures.

Mar 27, 2014permalink

khunfred

I hope Dad leaves sometimes his camera and play with his children. I think Mr. Laboile is a good photographer, I feel humanity and life in these shots, even some of them look "too much" composed. I prefer simple photographies with no effect, and I'm not interested in his family topic. But he shows us that we can make good photography just around us.
I also read his biography: he tells he's a "father of 6". Bravo! I have 2 daughters, I don't know how could I bring up 6 kids. That said, I notice he don't quote the other human being who helps him and make born and educate his kids: so, where is Mum?;-)

Mar 27, 2014*permalink

Alain Laboile

My wife is always here, taking care of the children and helps me by
offering me the possibility to build our family album. She's a
precious assistant.

Mar 27, 2014permalink

Is it possible for you to try and pick his work apart anymore than you already have with your stupid assumptions? My god, this place is unreal. It's is virtually impossible to do everything right with this group. I would share nothing with you jackals.

Mar 27, 2014permalink

kjhants

PERFEC

Mar 27, 2014permalink

Ray Fitchett

These images show a family living life as that - and it reminds me so much of my own childhood..... muck and fun and love.

In no way can these shots be described as shocking or even disturbing and those that say they find them "offensive" or that the got "creeped out" need to look at themselves.

The photographic ability shown is also worthy of mention.... with good control of depth of field and composition even whilst accepting they aren't posed or contrived.

Mar 27, 2014permalink

calking

Fantastic stuff. Real world.

Mar 27, 2014permalink

Nello

DID ANYONE GOT CREEPED OUT BY THIS GUY'S "WORKS"?
I'm a parent and I'm sincerely shocked that someone would take a picture of his young daughter running around in underwear (see here http://www.laboile.com/images/limited3.jpg) and then sell it over the internet?
And it gets WORSE...have a look at this...his teenager daughter faking huge boobs with a balloon in low waist jeans while the other strikes a "sexy" pose for the camera????
http://www.laboile.com/images/limited4.jpg
And you sell the prints over the internet?? WTF is wrong w this people?
Now I understand France has always been kinda' "libertine" but this is wrong IMO...maybe I am just an over-reacting parent but I think this guy is one step from pimping his daughters if the "art" doesn't sell !
What's next DP...some pedophile galleries??

Mar 27, 2014*permalink

calking

Yeah, I think you're overreacting and not considering the entire body of his work or it's purpose. There are photos of young kids naked bottoms too....that doesn't equate to child porn. You need to chill or look at flowers and bugs or something.

Mar 27, 2014*permalink

aftab

Okay, Mr Nello. Its one thing that you didn't appreciate the pictures. Its not a crime. After all, our gene, left half of the brain and background vary. But it is totally a different thing to bring any reference to pedophilia. Inability to appreciate art is not shocking, but confusing art with filth is.

Mar 27, 2014permalink

Richard Poinvil

Wow. You sound very American (US)....and this is coming from an American (US)!

Mar 27, 2014permalink

epo001

Nello, you are not well and should seek help. 'pimping his daughters'! WTF? It is people like you who should be kept away from children.

Mar 27, 2014permalink

Nello

Would you mind explaining why I should be kept away from children? Out of curiosity, do u have kids epo001?

Mar 27, 2014*permalink

Koolblue2

While I don't agree with your sentiment, I do think it is necessary that we have differences of opinions about "sensitive " topics. It allows us to discern where a line should be drawn. I take many BW photos of my 3 boys playing, wresting and helping around the home. I made a conscious decision to not sell them. That's my comfort level . Just sayin

Mar 27, 2014permalink

Nell, You are a sad excuse for human being. I feel sorry you had kids.

Mar 27, 2014*permalink

Smeggypants

Nello sounds very disturbed to me. Sadly this kind of disturbance can rub off on offspring. I hope not though.

Mar 27, 2014permalink

Elfranco

Nello.. I love your comment: "..his teenager daughter faking huge boobs with a balloon.." BOOBS !!!
Sounds like you got a little excited looking at that picture. I can't even imagine living in your world.

Mar 28, 2014permalink

Seranon

Le vice n'est que dans votre œil.

Mar 28, 2014permalink

Kalin

Nello, you have issues, man. Seriously. Go see a shrink.

Mar 28, 2014permalink

noebby

Nello,
I would take more moderate words but basically I agree with you. I found especially the pictures on the website and that "business idea" very border lined (right word?), even more above the border. I cannot understand that nobody else does see that. I now that it is very warm in France, but not so warm that children must be over proportinal naked on the pictures (of the website much more than here).

I remember the 80th, when David Hamilton was very popular, he would have big problems with that kind of pictures today, I think.

B.T.W. I don't like the pictures from a photographic point of view, but that's not the point.

(I'm neither conservative nor without children)

Mar 28, 2014permalink

tripodfan

Poor cats.

Mar 27, 2014permalink

Great photographs. He must have a good camera.

;)

Mar 27, 2014permalink

jorcar

Indeed. The only topic of the year where people dont talk about ISIS, IQ, ISOS and others. I understand some people are very upset whit these photos eheheh

Mar 28, 2014permalink

Staxxx

I envy how some people just see so much and can capture it in a simple shot...... wow! Love these.

Mar 27, 2014permalink

Dan Wagner

Finally something good!

Mar 27, 2014permalink

Michael_13

Wow, just wow. Every picture tells a little story and is beautifully captured.
What a great photographer and - I presume - what a great dad he is!

Mar 27, 2014permalink

sh10453

No comments on the pictures from a photography point of view, since there are already lots of comments, for them or against them.

But I like "the scene" in No. 3.
No tablets, no smart phones, no laptop, no gadgets of the stuff that's invaded our lives nowadays, on top of the table!!!

Life was simpler.

Just an simple observation.

Mar 26, 2014permalink

aftab

These and other pictures in his website take photographing children beyond soccer fields, gyms, birthday parties and studios and makes them powerful organic and artistic expressions.

Thanks for sharing DPR. Keep it up.

Mar 26, 2014permalink

justmeMN

It's nice to see children "being human", rather than being glued to a screen.

(Time for me to go for a walk in the park, with my cell phone turned off.)

Mar 26, 2014permalink

alendrake

Enormous thanks to Alain Laboile for these beautiful pictures and thanks to Dpreview staff for selecting them. This charge of childhood positive energy is something we really miss a lot.

Mar 26, 2014permalink

Haim Hadar

I'm a bit surprised by the overwhelmingly enthusiastic comments. Just wondering if some others, like me, found the photos rather uninteresting.

Mar 26, 2014permalink

Mrrowe8

No pretty much just you. .. Are you a parent ?

Mar 26, 2014permalink

Koolblue2

Not interested in real life?

Mar 27, 2014permalink

Smeggypants

Very disappointed to see someone use the offensive "Are you are parent?" superiority statement. Mrrowe8 you should be ashamed of yourself!!! I hate it when people pull out the "you're not a parent so wouldn't understand" card.

I'm not a parent and I found the images on the whole excellent, charming with bags of personality.

Maybe you should apologise to Haim Hadar!

Mar 27, 2014permalink

AlexClickButan

Let me guess - needs more clarity and saturation sliders?

Mar 27, 2014permalink

wansai

no, it's just you. also being a parent has nothing to do with the quality of these shots. thry are well composed, tell a story, use light dramatically and every shot has a sense of life about it. the art in this is quite apparent.

Mar 27, 2014permalink

You want a real sleeper of a picture, try landscape mountain pics.

Mar 27, 2014permalink

noebby

Yes, me too.

Mar 28, 2014permalink

SKPhoto12

Frankly a little overdone. I much prefer the Russian mum! Power to him if he gets the price, but it is not for me!

Mar 26, 2014permalink

ryanshoots

Overdone? Compared to the photoshop computer art the Russian "mum" created? Overdone? Really?

Mar 27, 2014permalink

Ah, another from the 'has to be exactly as shot' crowd and anything but is crapola. Open your mind a little.

Mar 27, 2014permalink