magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

I'm not sure that this is the sort of thing you want to comment on - but it is my first Photoshop post on UHH. I'm at the early-learning stage with Ps. This is a composite of three shots, the soldier, the foreground and gun, and the sky and fields. Struggled with some of the string and did my best with the feet (I know they are always a problem). Otherwise, the general effect (washed-out colour and vignette) is to fit in with the rest of a series I'm doing of WW1 images. Anyway, your critique and assistance much appreciated. I would like to try a texture filter but I'm not up to it yet in my lessons!

(Download)

JCam Loc: MD Eastern Shore

Looks good to me, but if you are trying to replicate a well worn photo, the soldier's face seems too sharp compared to the rest of the photo and doesn't convey the exhaustion that might be expected after a battle. On the other hand, his thanks for surviving might have lightened up his expression.

Nice job :thumbup:

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

Thanks for your comments JCam - soldiers expression was not optional! Take your point though. Think I might try for the 'old photo' look once I'm a bit more advanced in Ps.

pfrancke Loc: cold Maine

I could be wrong, so take this with a grain of salt...

I think the background/horizon is too dark. It should fade and be indistinct, especially with the foggy foreground. Lighten and blur that layer...

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

I think you're spot on with that - I should have seen it!

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

Foot, just clone over he part overhanging.... no one will notice... less they be pixl-peepers. Great combo to tell a story. Good work of creativity using your time machine.

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

Yes, I'll give it a go - thanks for commenting.

Shakey Loc: Traveling again to Norway and other places.

A very good first attempt - but for us military historians accuracy is everything. The grass and hedgerow in the background is too well kept to have been the site of a battle. Maybe you could have PP'd this to give it a more churned up look. The uniform is obviously British but the guy is wearing his chin strap over and under his cap badge, which serves no purpose. (British chinstraps are normally worn under the cap badge, except in windy conditions, or in the cavalry.) The cap badge is (I think) infantry, but my scanty knowledge does not enable me to identify which regiment. Definitely not Royal Artillery (as the gun may suggest) as they have one ubiquitous cap badge for all regiments except the Royal Horse Artillery. (Which is now a purely ceremonial unit and call their cap badge a cypher).
You see how we military historians ramble whenever we are given the chance, and our fascination with the services of other countries is huge. America's naval interest in Admiral Nelson is said to be elitist and you have to be of senior rank to join! Maybe that is just a rumor put about by we army historian guys. BTW Love your first attempt.

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

Thanks for your observations - in defence of the soldier, he had just got up - and found a usurper (me) in his trenches before they were open to the public! He belongs to something like The King's Own West Kent Regiment, if my memory serves. I have, since posting, faded the background as suggested previously, and it does fit better, but I couldn't find a field complete with shell craters! Still, early days yet.

Shakey Loc: Traveling again to Norway and other places.

Thank you so much for your hint. So often it's snippets of information that bring so much hidden information to light.
It is the Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment with the distinctive rearing horse cap badge. For anyone interested there is an excellent article here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen%27s_Own_Royal_West_Kent_Regiment

The various battalions of the regiment were spread all over the world. One of the greatest accomplishments that the Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment achieved in the Second World War was in the winter to spring of 1943-1944 when the regiment was under siege in Kohima, from three Japanese Battalions, numbering all together roughly 65,000 troops. The British garrison was a numerically inferior force of around 2,000 British and Indian troops, reliant on RAF airdrops of supplies. After months of heavy fighting, both sides were roughly 10 yards away from each other. The Japanese not killed or wounded eventually withdrew sick, disheartened, and exhausted.
A story of British and Indian heroes not known to many Americans and probably not as many British as it should be.

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

That's funny - I remembered it as Queens Own but thought it must be Kings as they were re- enacting WW1! Hadn't realised the regiment went back so far. Many thanks for the info.

joe west Loc: Taylor, Michigan

nice shot, here's my go at it

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

Yes, I like that Joe - think you might be a bit ahead of me with the Ps thing!

joe west Loc: Taylor, Michigan

just like adding colors and see how they come out..