(before you flame me for that, it's merely that I find the references to the flag a little amusing, from a sociological perspective - as far as I know Australians are more relaxed at that sort of stuff - but I understand that Americans look at those sorts of things differently, a different sort of national pride so I respect that)
Doesn't work for me, to be honest. Her face is definitely unsharp. Blue jeans are distracting...and I find the red stripe across the back, between her legs, annoying as well. To be honest, the pose doesn't work for me either. I think a standing up shot, at an angle to the frame with no other clothing visible and playing around with hair positioning and facial expressions would work better (although some would still say distasteful)
I am not sure about the flag, so I will only comment on the other stuff...
Her face is too soft, specially the eyes.. and I don't much like the tan marks...may be you could clone/heal to match the skin tones..
Thank you setiprime, you beat me to the draw.
I fought for our country, my father fought and was wounded
in action for our country, my brother died for our country.
You have the right to say crap like: give me a break.Your lucky to be
able to say crap like that because of the sacrifices others
have made.
It's what that flag stands for not the flag itself that upsets us.
So don't take it at such a piss poor attitude.
PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN
I think that the flag covering her legs makes the photo look awkward, as if her legs are disappearing into the floor. I would either have her standing, or figure out some way to show a little more of her legs ..
First and formost, thank you setiprime and Big Kahuna for your service to our country.
And to those that say lighten up, it's just a flag (or a piece of cloth someone said), please say that to a family member of a fallen soldier as they give them the flag from their coffin and let me know the response you get!
Sorry for the rant, it's a real sore spot for me personally!
If we're all so high and mighty, patriotic, and all of that, then I suppose we wouldn't let our (interim) President drag us and our flag through the mud and disgrace us and everything this country stands for on a daily basis. Caring about your country and the ideals, morals and principals it is based upon has a whole hell of a lot more to do than simply with a flag. Fighting a war for your country has a whole lot more to it as well. We're not fighting a war for America right now, we're fighting a war for "W". Our flag is merely a symbol of who we are and what we stand for. With that in mind, it might not mean a whole lot right now.
On a different note, more related to the photo itself, as well as some of the more direct comments. The rights you speak of fighting for also allow the flag to be used in such a way. It can be burned, drug around, used in poorly executed photos, etc. Freedom of speech, religion, press, etc... It's all or nothing. There's really no middle ground when it comes to freedom.
I personally don't agree with the use of the flag here. However, rather than complain and whine about it, I understand that it IS his right to do so. A right earned not so much by our soldiers, at all, but by the citizens who have fought and died to secure those rights all along the way, outside of traditional wars. Citizens who seem to be in a deep haze/sleep at this point...
OK, I'll exit the political sopabox now.
Picture is soft, the flag dragging on the ground may offend people. Maybe sharpen it up, get the flag opff the ground, etc...
I'm a Canadian, (non-military!) and if someone did that to my flag, I'de be upset too.
never ever ever use a flag a as piece of clothing, and never ever ever let it touch the ground.
Now, because the flag touched the ground, you should retire it in a dignified way by burning it. (the only time you actually burn a flag is to retire it with dignity)
Seriously. Flag misuse is just not cool. That's why no one likes the photo.
now, a jacket with an american flag as an armpatch would be cool though, or a something along those lines to add a patriotic touch would work though.
Funny, i've seen the flag used in pictures all my life, here's just one example of Hollywood using it, I wonder if this photog got flamed like the poor guy who posted this thread?
I guess that is what makes America great we have the right to disagree ;-)
