So how does he do it? Smith's portraits of beautiful dads and their delicious babies succeed magnificently for a variety of reasons. He uses light and shadow to make a point: for balance and harmony. If a dad's face is partially obscured in darkness, the beaning grim on his baby's face assures the viewer of the dad's (unseen-by-us) big smile.
Where a muscled fatherly arm is in view, there is the pudgy softness of the baby's arm. One feels the strength of dad, the vulnerability of baby, and is thrilled with the photo. Torsos, either trim or pudgy, are nearly always balanced and complemented by one another. A dad holds a baby in one hand, and the solidity of the dad's legs - and the calm face of the baby - assure us that the child is safe.
Another thing I loved about this book is that it reveals mature bodies - not for their conventional "perfectness," but as vessels of love and (in the dads' cases) protection. It's about bodies, but is never voyeuristic.
But it is the faces which are so arresting. Study this book, not only for its message of love, hope, and caring - but for the great advice it offers on how to begin to take much better, if not downright successful, pictures!
It highlights the social, mental and emotional evolution of what it is like becoming a father which most anyone can relate to. The black and white pictures are incredibly tasteful and expressive.
