I know, I know, I haven’t posted the final-final summary page of the half marathon fiasco yet – but I actually wrote and tossed so many drafts I needed to step away from it to regain my perspective. And then Herb Cain came along and – well if you know me you know Side-Track is my middle name. Will get it finished soon though I promise 
However – while my focus on the running post is resetting (so the piece can be as succinct and perfect as possible), let me share a photo just submitted by our friend cliveden. This came with a link that I’m choosing to withhold until other items on the site can be verified. The photo questioned, however, is priceless.
So without benefit of seeing what the author has written, tell me your first impressions – both about the photo itself and the author behind it:
For me, the torso on the male figure is just – wrong. I don’t even know where to begin. The shirt is pulling at an odd angle across his belly – the collar looks to be for a dress shirt (notice the under-the-collar button indicating it’s meant to be worn with a tie and yet there’s no shirt edge or buttons down the front) and the waistline is out of proportion to the neck and shoulders.
To my eye, Sarah looks like she’s leaning against something that isn’t there and Todds head is way too small. Todd’s neck? He’s an Alaskan – not a giraffe. And I can’t for the life of me work out why anyone would have photo-shopped Todd’s face over another person’s body and seated next to Sarah (if she’s even there at all). It’s all rather bizarre.
Compare this photo to other headshots of the pair:
And this should offer more realistic proportions of Todd’s actual head and neck:
Let me see your first impressions and then I’ll post a sample of the writing. Oh and many thanks again cliveden!
PLEASE NOTE: In case you happen to know the site this photo represents, please do not post the link here. All will be revealed in due time – Thanks – Oz
============ UPDATE ============
Appreciate all the input and I have to say I agree with almost everyone who says this is just the most unnatural photo… That said, our friend Carolyn has claimed it to be a genuine photo, identified the event as a cousin’s wedding held 09 August 2010 and submitted the full photo from which our selection had been cropped. Carolyn has blocked the faces of the relatives who do not normally appear in the Palin spotlight and I support her decision.
Carolyn also sent me two other pictures taken at this event, one I’ve inserted into the larger one showing Sarah feeding Trig at the table. The other was taken outdoors and I’m really only posting it because – well because in the middle of all the skepticism and doubts we endure from the adult Palin deceptions – we don’t often get to share the sweet side of these bubs and it just struck me as the most adorable photo of Trig I’ve ever seen.
From Carolyn (click to enlarge):
I am still bothered by the 5 o’clock shadow that goes all the way up one side of Todd’s face – it’s not a shadow cast by Sarah’s head but is indicative of how a shadow would appear had it been reduced in size from another photo (one of poor quality). The neck and torso continue to strike me as completely out of proportion – and Sarah really does look like she’s falling off his lap. If this photo sent to me by cliveden was altered, it’s possible this is the version of the photo that had the alteration done. If it’s genuine, as Carolyn claims, than it’s a truly bad photo of Sarah and Todd in a group where everyone else appears rather normal.
So even though I’m still troubled by certain details, I will bow to Carolyn’s knowledge of this event, her access to these Wasillans and chalk this poor photo up to one of life’s little mysteries.
And here’s the icing on the cake – how cute is this little guy, eh? And how happy!
Trig one year ago – age 2 and 1/2
Carolyn – you may find us still poking at the group photo – but I am grateful to you for taking the time to send these photos and for adding your input in the comments – OzMud
