John, Thank you so much for stopping by. I welcome as many viewpoints as there are photographers. My intention for this photograph was to present the little girl exhibiting a little independence - and it didn't quite work without really emphasizing her and losing some background stuff. I'm pleased you see mimicry - at the very least the image says something to you!
Jenene
Without sight of the original, it is difficult to evaluate Phils advice. To me, the image suggests mimicry and emulation. Might equal treatment/weight enhance that message?
Its the same old story - three photographers and at least four opinions.
Almost there in concept, Jenene, but not executed effectively for your pupose. If you wanted the girl to appear independent, you should have moved in on her either physically or optically, making her sharp and making the mother walking ahead of her soft. You have made them equally sharp, so there is no emphasis on the child. And you have not used your frame with care to embrace the mother -- instead you slice her in half. A third problem rises with the people coming down the street towards us. By using a longer lens or being closer to the little girl, and focusing on the child, you could not only have made the mother softer, but made the people in the distance even softer and not as distracting.