It wasn’t actually a vacation, but just a day outing. Still, it was memorable. Weather was entirely on our side and the people were good to be with.

We went to the beach.

Recently I tuned up some of the photos by removing compositional distractions. Mostly this meant removing people and their stuff from the back ground. Their mom is sensitive to photos of the children on the internet so no face shots in this post.

Compare with the originals:

The edits alter the message in the first picture. With the bustling crowds left in, the photo focuses on the girl with the hat and that she is happily approaching the beach and share it with the others.  With them removed, the message is about the wonder and pull of the surf generally and the three are headed down to enjoy it. It’s all theirs. It’s easier to imagine sharing the beach experience as a personal one with the simplified photo.

By removing some of the people in the second photo the intent of the image becomes more focused. The girl may be enjoying the majesty of the place  while the others play. In the original photo the message is more like she’s wondering what to do next. There was no gain in removing every person. It actually strengthens the image to have others at a distance enjoying the experience in their own spaces.