I do like it very much, but i agree with others about it not being a portrait

Yup, a nice pic you got here.

Indeed, Ade. Indeed. I think it's safe to say, if you think you can't learn anymore... you STILL got a lot to learn.

Well I think I figured it out. Oh, GL author

luv this photo,...maybe not your conventional portrait,...
much more than just a portrait,..better!
respect!

Well spotted!

Were you all too mean to give that one guy some shades?

funny

Except for those three white specs that you could easily remove with healing brush in about a minute, you know the ones above the flowers, it's a great shot.

It's a great photograph, and a lovely family photo, BUT not a family portrait.

Ade isn't dreadful, he's honest.

Right............... thanx for the explanation. Not being one who uses flash to any great extent, I did not know that. Every day is a scool day

I think it's just great to study everyone's reaction. So different point of views... so different personalities...
Hey, it's great to have "met" all of you in this contest site. It makes my horizon get wider and my tolerance get stronger.

Um, I had an entry removed similar to this one. I guess I'm still confused.

beautiful photo. Love it

Gorgeous shot!

@Adein: It's called rearsynced flash and this is the effect you gets from it.
it's when the flash flashes on the rear sync. (the end of the exposure)

I wasn't going to comment on this, but a portrait is surely something where you can see faces and expressions.

me too!

So do I

Love the fisheye, it's really unique for a family portrait!

Awesome shot! Love the angle.

I don't put people down, I make constructive crticism, based on many years of photography experience. Unfortunately, some people cannot take it. I am not interested in 'putting myself up' as you say.

what were your exposure settings for this.

I swear I gotta get one of those fisheye len's!!

No, I didn't have to look up the meaning, I just had to find one worded simply enough for you to understand..............

You are not the only one who takes pics for a living, and it certainly does not make you right!

Its one of my favorite shots so far, however I do have to agree...this isn't really a portrait. You are a fabulous photographer, and always very creative, but even thos of us with a more creative standing in a contest don't always make it on theme. I've been outside the box enough times to know that sometimes those pesky definitions can be the death of an entry.

I will say, awesome shot, great memory for the family, yet....not quite a portrait in the sense of artistic definition.

ah, never mind it all makes sense now......

Fine, ignore everyone's useful advice and keep making your portraits from behind

Author, maybe you could learn from other people's critique for a change, instead of getting all defensive.
It's not a portrait! A portrait has faces in it, yours does not. Being creative is not the same as changing the definition of a word.
If you can't handle critique (valid critique in this case even) - then stop taking pictures. The world is not gonna change its definition of "portrait" for you. You should be thankful that people point out mistakes... And if you refuse to learn from it, just ignore them and don't improve.

Just once, could you not be so defensive and just step back and see where we're coming from? I knew who you were from the comments. But still as awesome photo.

As awesome as this photo is, I kind of agree with Ade. I was under the impression that this was a portrait contest and even without a definition I was under the impression we were supposed to make something that would show everybody's faces, like a family picture you hang on the wall. But that's just IMO......

I like this, looks like I'm looking through a window and it just rained. = )

but you have to persons standing unnaffected by the movement.............how? if the camera was moving, they should not appear like this.

This is a great effect...lots of color and movement. I love it.

Great Pic!...Love the Colors...Good Job Author

Great Shot!

Maybe this picture is not the exact definition of a portrait, but I have to agree with you author. IMO, this is a creative shot of a portrait, it's just thinking outside the box. Beautiful picture, btw.

Looks really good.Loved it author

Quote"...........A portrait is a painting, photograph, sculpture, or other artistic representation of a person, in which the face and its expression is predominant. The intent is to display the likeness, personality, and even the mood of the person. For this reason, in photography a portrait is generally not a snapshot, but a composed image of a person in a still position. A portrait often shows a person looking directly at the painter or photographer, in order to most successfully engage the subject with the viewer."

There appear to be no faces in this, therefore it is not a portrait.

not really a portrait.

AND the clarity is awesome with the colors just bringin them out! GL!!!

He's lookin at her boobs!!! LOL Love the pictures btw! Great lighting and they look like they are truely happy and havin a great time!

Nice, but a bit of noise

Is this walking or running? I only ask because the title says run to me?

Nice photo....

I agree with jawshoewhah! It would be better!

Congrats for your first place!

WOWWW!!!! CONGRATS!!!!!! This is a fantastic pic, the first place is well deserved

I'm sad to see that your image did not win this contest, beautiful shot.

Great Shot! GJ Author