Small Child, Big Space

Posted on Wed, 21 May, 2014 by LensScaper

In the centre of the shopping centre, in Milton Keynes is a large space. It’s used for exhibitions, trade fairs and other events.

IMG_5471_crop2Very often it is crowded. On this occasion it was deserted except for one family. The parents with a baby in a pram were on one side of the square, and this small child was at the other side. Just running around. Periodically she stopped and looked, to check her parents were still there. Then she ran around a bit more. And then another stop, just to check they were still there. She was clearly loving the freedom of the space.

I just caught sight of her and stood at the edge quietly watching and waiting. One shot, and one shot only, and I was happy.

About LensScaper

Hi - I'm a UK-based photographer who started out 45+ years ago as a lover of landscapes, inspired by my love of outdoor pursuits: skiing, walking and climbing. Now retired, I seldom leave home without a camera and I find images in unexpected places and from different genres. I work on the premise that Photography is Art and that creativity is dependent on the cultivation of 'A Seeing Eye'.
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26 Responses to Small Child, Big Space

  1. oneowner says:
    Wed, 21 May, 2014 at 11:20

    Another “decisive moment” captured.

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  2. shoreacres says:
    Wed, 21 May, 2014 at 12:34

    I have a friend who lives in Milton Keynes, and I’ve seen a good number of photos of this space filled with the various exhibitions that are put up — especially the magnificent one at Christmas. I’m going to send her a link to this. I know she’ll enjoy such a different view.

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    • LensScaper says:
      Wed, 21 May, 2014 at 17:45

      Thanks for that comment, Linda. What a small world it is sometimes. We have seen the Christmas exhibit many times. We moved to this area before the city of Milton Keynes and the shopping centre was built – so this area has grown up with us. I took some images of the superb Carousel two years ago and posted them on my blog. Here’s the link to that post, in case you are interested: https://lensscaper.wordpress.com/2011/11/23/the-carousel/

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  3. seekraz says:
    Wed, 21 May, 2014 at 16:56

    Excellent capture, Andy….and the little one is such a contrast, too, to the larger image of the woman above the shop. Very nice.

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    • LensScaper says:
      Wed, 21 May, 2014 at 17:46

      Thanks Scott. The image at the top of the screen is a ‘still’ from a very well known Dior advert that has been running in the UK for quite a while.

      Like

  4. vastlycurious.com says:
    Thu, 22 May, 2014 at 11:34

    Love the juxtaposition !!

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  5. Jimi Jones (@JimiJones) says:
    Thu, 22 May, 2014 at 13:29

    Really nice capture, Andy. The kid really adds scale to the image.

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  6. Len says:
    Thu, 22 May, 2014 at 14:30

    Love the isolation of the little girl Andy. The contrast in size makes a powerful statement.

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  7. Phillip says:
    Fri, 23 May, 2014 at 01:18

    Neat shot Andy. I really like how it appears that she has the whole place to herself.

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    • LensScaper says:
      Fri, 23 May, 2014 at 07:46

      Thanks Phillip. She did indeed have the place entirely to herself. That was what was so unusual about this situation – and I think this little girl revelled in that opportunity.

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  8. janina says:
    Fri, 23 May, 2014 at 04:26

    Space is wonderful to show such moments as these! The reflection is nice too! Well seen, andy.

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  9. Chillbrook says:
    Fri, 23 May, 2014 at 06:14

    Very sweet Andy, smashing picture!

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  10. poppytump says:
    Fri, 23 May, 2014 at 09:04

    Not often an opportunity arises like this one nowadays in such an environment Andy .. really lovely how you captured this little lass and her upturned shadow step .

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    • LensScaper says:
      Fri, 23 May, 2014 at 10:15

      Thanks Poppy. Right place, right time – one of life’s lucky moments to catch her mid stride. Especially with a compact withe the inevitable shutter lag

      Like

  11. Helen Cherry says:
    Sat, 24 May, 2014 at 08:10

    very effective.. showing the vulnerability of the child.. and the advertising poster really adds to this .. as though she is watching the child too.

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    • LensScaper says:
      Sat, 24 May, 2014 at 20:01

      Thanks Helen. I thought long and hard about leaving in/taking out that poster (I’m sure you will recognize it from the TV Ad for Dior) I was tempted to go for a slim landscape shot but then I would have lost the sense of height and space. I’ve sat on this shot for about a month and slowly I’ve come to like it as you see it.

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  12. Meanderer says:
    Thu, 29 May, 2014 at 09:10

    This is great! It jolts one out of the expected. One would rarely see a huge shopping mall – such as this one – empty, unless of course you happened to be there in the early hours of the morning! The child – walking alone – makes the scene altogether surreal. Super capture.

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