My Verdict.
Following the many comments of my original picture of “Mother’s Love”, I thought I experiment a little. I dont have the photoshop skill thus Melinda Kerr’s involvment in this (thanks mel!). I did basic changes, cropping, making it black and white and Melinda did the high tech stuff.
Mother’s Love – the original 
Mother’s Love 2 – black and white cropped version 
Mother’s Love 3 – colour cropped version 
Mother and child – Melinda’s Version 
the comments have been most interesting and it made me look into these images more. I like one or more aspect of the each versions of this image. I thank you all for your input especially for melinda who had put in lots of effort.
However, after looking at these for the last few days. I have to say, personally my favourite was the original one. What I love about it was that it was unaltered. It was the raw emotion against the bold blue colour. The vibrancy of colourful african dresses makes it feels simple and genuine. The empty wall and the old rag at the back just make the emotion more meaningful. As if to say that nothing is more valuable then this bond between this child and her mother. As if to say that It does not matter that She has nothing of value around her because the most valuable thing she has is in her hands. The softness of this love is more appreciated against the bold colours and the bold pattern of her dress.
It has been a rather educational exercise for me. I think it is interesting to learn about what people likes and dislike and how people interpret an image. So thank you for all your respond. This picture is very special to me.
heydiddles
I absolutely agree with you Rebecca. Looking at these images all together I felt the same. The little detail of the cloth in the back gives the image a context. It is a moment in taken in time and place. The added spontaneity adds a genuineness and poignancy that is lost in the tampered versions. You take the most beautiful photos. So full of the feeling and the timelessness of every moment. Well, that’s what I think anyway. It is a special picture. Simple and beautiful
KathyT
Agree with you Rebecca – while each image is beautiful in itself I still think the original has something that the others have lost.
Cheers
Kathy
RonniLeigh
Rebecca you know what I’ll say. LOL I agree with Kathy completely!
RonniLeigh
Rebecca, I am seeing a GYN that I have the upt most respect for. I want to show him how important and appreciated he is. I want to buy the original print for his office. I’m not going to be able to get it right now but I will get this for him. This is the most powerful way for me to say thank you for caring snd helping so many women and babies.
My birthday is September 1st and I told my boyfriend I wanted this for my birthday. lol And I told my daughter I wanted a picture of one that I’ve made. I know how to work them. hehehe So hopefully that’s what I’ll get for my birthday. :)
Melinda Kerr
I FEEL LIKE A FAILURE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well no not really.
Just being dramatic.
You over achieving so and so :)
rebecca zachariah
Hei…mel that is not what I mean ;-) I did not say I did not like the others. All the changes are good. I mean it. I am just saying that the original perhaps tells more of a story despite technically perhaps not that ‘perfect’. Sorry my friend. But your work is still very much admired.
Melinda Kerr
I’m only joking. Fact is the original is awesome. Don’t worry we can do a whole heap more if you like :)
RonniLeigh
Oh yeah Mel did great on the others there is no question about that. But for this one photo it talked more to me in it’s original form then the others did. But if I had never seen the original one I would of been taken by any of the remakes. The original made me feel as if I was right there feeling the love this woman had for her baby.
Dee Boylan
Yeah I like the original as well…if not only for the pure rawness of it..it’s a very honest pic
RonniLeigh
Hi Rebecca, are you going to sell the original as a portrait too? I would love to buy a big portrait of it. Please let me know.