LPigott
Loc: Monterey Peninsula, CA
Clever idea, telling a powerful story. It just seems unnatural to look through a torn hole in a flag. If I were telling this story, I might have tried placing the shredded flag off to the side or in the background ... with the victors moving into prominence ...
Still, though, it's a moving scene and I respect your work. I'm glad I had the opportunity to review it one more time, especially on the very day the Stars and Bars came down in South Carolina (July 10, 2015).
This image is creative and powerful, but the main focal point of the image needs to be better established. As is, the sky, grass, trees, and the new American flag are the first things that draw your attention since they are brightest part of the image. I would suggest (1) cropping out the sky and most, if not all, of the trees, (2) brightening the uniforms of the soldiers to bring out some detail, (3) maybe darkening the grass a little, and (4) cloning out the gray asphalt walkway and yellow rope that detract from the time period. Also, the Union flag looks too new and probably has too many stars on it. It might help to darken the Union flag to de-emphasize it. But, most importantly, I'm not sure what this image has to do with the topic, "Revolutionary."
I like the idea of this image but have to agree with David on the crop. A square crop keeping the whole bottom part would work well.
I actually think the photo fits the topic. The Civil war brought about a revolutionary way of thinking to this country and laid the ground work for freedom for all.
I think the composition is great!!!! I would not crop a pixel! I don't care if the flags or anything else are exactly historic. We get the idea.
If it were my photo, I would enlarge the Union soldiers a great deal to work on making them more visible by lightening their faces, lightening the immediate background behind them to separate the caps from the darkness of the brush, saturating some parts of their uniforms and muskets, and sharpening them. Unfortunately, it would be detailed work, not an en masse pp, but I think the results would pay off in a gorgeous photo. And, if you do decide to work on this photo, I'd love to see the final copy.
Perhaps you can find some photographers on UH who are experienced in making "little people" stand out, and PM them for one-on-one help.
A wonderful photo!
Very, very good. Worth more than 1000 words. Should be sold to a magazine for cover. Would lighten Union soldiers slightly, however.
I really like your creative perspective. Maybe a bit of crop, but definitely clone out the path and rope. Great historical photo! And btw, if the Civil War wasn't "revolution", I don't know what was.
This is an astoundingly powerful image.
I agree that brightening the Union soldiers a bit wiuld be advisable.
In re: cropping the sky , my preference is that the more sky left in place, the better.
Great eye!
Dave
This is a very good example of a frame within a photograph. This technique is excellent for calling attention to a subject within a photograph.
The contrast of the battle damaged flag and the much newer, brighter flag presents a victor/defeated contrast, as well. Though in reality, both flags would most likely appear in the same condition.
Overall, nicely done and creatively presented.
--Bob
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