Bob Yankle Loc: Burlington, NC

This photo was shot during a fairy tale snowfall in South Georgia, quite unlike anything that had ever been seen before. It was light, wet snow that fell straight down (no wind) and piled up vertically on most horizontal surfaces. I had chosen a Canon 75-300mm lens to capture reenactors at a distance, but it turned out 75mm was not quite wide enough as I was shooting with an APS-C camera at the time. So I will offer part of this critique myself ..... had it been possible, I would have shot wider to put more room behind and in front of the people in the photo. Other than that, I am open to suggestions for light balance, cropping, or any other positive suggestions.

Shot at f/7.1, 1/200 sec., ISO 100. Any suggestions for bright snow shots in the future also sought.

I love shooting reenactments, but the snow in the background on this one set it apart, and gave it a distinctly story-like quality. The reenactor portraying Elijah Clark had struck a distinctly heroic pose which is why I shot at this very moment, although I would have enjoyed it more if the guys with the muskets were discharging their firearms. I also like the young boy firing from the tree.

Critiquers, please feel free to reprocess this photo with recommended changes and post them for all to review.

Thanks!

Elijah Clark at Kettle Creek (Original)

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

I've always wanted to shoot a re-enactment, and with snow, wow what a bonus! I think you're right that if you'd shot with a little more distance, and perhaps a little lower to the ground, you might have had a more fun shot to work with. You had a nice angle from slightly above with good composition of your group, but you could have possibly exploited it a bit more by backing up and/or kneeling down (or alternatively, climbing up on something and shooting down into them even more). It doesn't look like you had that much trouble with the snow-your snow looks lovely to me, not blown out and blue enough without being too blue, visible texture. Nice sharp capture with good color and detail.

As far as processing, you may want to play with some styles that make the photo look older - sepia, some old film types, etc. just for fun. Even though the sunglasses give the game way, it might be a fun effort.

I did take advantage of your offer to allow alternative interpretations. I cropped a bit off the top, but nothing from the people as there is some interest in every participant. If I knew how to take off their sunglasses I would! I processed it with a bit of bleach bypass just to see what it looked like, not sure it's any better just different.

Bob Yankle Loc: Burlington, NC

Man! All these years and I completely missed the sunglasses. Shows what blinders we have when processing photos. Since they were not something I focused upon, I conveniently blanked them out. Good catch! But, like you, I know of no good way to remove them.

Now, in defense of reenactors, they go to great lengths to be sure that everything they wear and the gear they carry is period-correct, no anachronisms allowed. The guys wearing the sunglasses were actually part of the Color Guard who wanted to horn in on the action, so they asked if they could join the reenactment. It being a small cast of characters, they were used to increase the body count on the field of battle, so to speak.

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

I find the original a bit bright, so I like the slight darkening of the edit. I have no idea how "bleach bypass" effects colors, etc.

Bob Yankle Loc: Burlington, NC

Darkened the blacks and decreased brightness per your suggestion.

Darkened version

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

I like! This image looks like a movie still.

snails_pace Loc: Utah

This is a kind of photo journalism. Pictures taken as it was happening .... forget ideal composition, lighting etc. Just have to keep up with the action.

There are a lot of good elements in the image. Would love to see a line of infantry firing. But I think the strongest element is the officer charging up the hill. So here is an edit using that as the subject of the picture.

Hated to crop out the infantry, but did it anyway. Sharpened the image then used Focal Point 2 to provide a light blur around the officer. Hopefully that made him stand out as the subject.

Vignette to clean up the edges and frame to accent it.

Must have been a very fun day. Would love to have an opportunity like this.

I wonder what a newspaper would publish? Or recruitment picture?

officer leading the charge

Chuck_893 Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska, USA

I would not critique it. I think it's fine as is. As an old PR man, I was taught to crop in the camera so I would have shot it the same way, and the timing of the picture is impeccable.

On the subject of the errant sunglasses, however, while the ones they are wearing do not look period, there were sunglasses (just as there were bifocals) in the 18th century:

From an auction website:

Photoman74 Loc: Conroe Tx

Once in a lifetime would a photographer get the opportunity presented - congratulations - I would have ran out of card space and drained every battery ava. shooting any and all i could survey.
You have several photo's with in this image.
I know you shot more, would love to see. I attended a re enactment in Virginia and the people were immersed in the characters (Foster Grant 1929 - so tree men of the time with tinted glasses?) Great capture.

Bob Yankle Loc: Burlington, NC

Rules of this particular section limit me to one photo. But I will think about putting up the set in the Photo Gallery section.

Photoman74 Loc: Conroe Tx

Ohraa! will look forward.

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

After you start a new thread in Photo Gallery, post the URL address in this thread.

Bob Yankle Loc: Burlington, NC

More photos of this event may be viewed in the Photo Gallery at http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-160660-1.html#2714055