What I find hysterical, above all else, is that this is “suppose” to be a photography forum. One which is “suppose” to be artistic in nature and being that real art is "suppose" to invoke a feeling...guess his blurry-ass picture did EXACTLY what it was suppose to (except the part where it turned the forum into a poor (at best) political discussion).
The shot needs to be sharper. And if it's all the same to you (I served in the USAF from '65-69), I'll do my honoring of the fallen as individuals and at monuments. The US flag is a symbol of our country, and there is indeed proper care that the military follow in handleing it. To everybody else use it as "you" see fit. If politicians cans use the flag in their campaigns, then people can use it also. We fight for freedom and liberty, not the flag. YMMV..
1. The model looks bored.
2. The picture is soft.
3. The hands look awkward.
4. The jeans are distracting.
All things that have been said already. In the last 8 pictures that you have posted for review all you say is "what do you think?". Try to be a little more informative about the setup or the picture itself.
As for the flag issue. It's one thing to capture someone using the american flag improperly out on the streets. It's quite another to pose someone doing so. I hope you have broad shoulders, because you deserve the grief you're getting over this (IMO).
My Father Fought the same dam wars! .. I have lost many realitives in these wars! .. some needed, Some un needed! .. But either way as allways Canadians and Many others have stood toe to toe in these wars with our brother americans, and i to as a Canadian find this a discrasfull way to display the flag ! and can totally understand why this post has caused the uproar it has!
The image doesn't work for me (I'm not offended by the use of the flag).
... and people in Canada are just as much Americans as the people that live in the US; and the same goes for those that live in Central and South America.
Definitely soft, but certainly emotionally evocative, even if not for it's artistic sensiblilities or lack thereof.
Granted opinions are like hair styles - everyone has them. I guess what I am wondering though is - why?
Why, at a time when we are having trouble uniting the country in a war against terrorism that will probably never truly end, when lives have been lost, when the symbol of what this flag represents is being fought for at home and abroad, would you choose to create an image like this? The only motivation I can think of is to stir up controversy. So...congratulations.
Just one other question: upon r re-examining the image I am wondering what the models' and photographers Nationalities are...
proxes wrote:
The image doesn't work for me (I'm not offended by the use of the flag).
... and people in Canada are just as much Americans as the people that live in the US; and the same goes for those that live in Central and South America.
Say what? Buddy... I'm Canadian... not American.... CANADIAN....
I'm not American, nor do I want to be American. (I have nothing against Americans)..
As others have said - the shot is too soft and the jeans were not a good idea.
Since it's was addressed as a qualifier here - I've "fought for the flag", I’ve seen combat action, and in my 10 years of service I've received many citations and personal awards/medals. So as far as I’m concerned, use the flag in anyway you see fit as a “free” American civilian. If you’ve got a statement to make, make it. If you just like the flag, display it. The definition of freedom in this country is getting far too narrow and is being defined by minds that don’t understand the titular concept.
If the person who took this picture is still paying attention to this thread then let me add my .02cents. I think the same as the other about the quality of the shot - it does seem soft. I don't especially care for or against the model - which is probably not good. If the idea was to encourage a reaction then it some what worked, however, it seems to only go part way. A pretty girl in jeans, wrapped in a flag is rather bland - if there is a point, even if it is redundant, the picture should be more contraversal - she should be naked and in a compromising position - at least that way there would be a stand taking place in the photo. This seem to be basically a photo of girl wrapped in a flag - OK - but what's the point? It seems to me when you use the flag as a prop in a photo you must take a stand that you are either glorifying it or defaming it - neither being correct - being in America affords you that freedom. However, you do need to choose (and focus more accurately.)
Ok now what he said bothers me, "Just one other question: upon r re-examining the image I am wondering what the models' and photographers Nationalities are..." - Amateur_Photog
I hope you didn't mean it in the way I think you did. Because that's the type of mindset that fuels wars.
Another thing (to everybody whos pissed about the flag), how about you all stop driving your cars to work, ride a bike, recycle. Its a little more powerful to do that, then express your anger towards a fellow man.
Sorry that I was distracted from posting to you.. I actually sorta forget what the picture looks like after reading all the posts.. However, it would have been really neat if you maybe put a backlight behind her, and had it outline her and the flag with some color. I'm thinking some kinda cool blue?? try it out... but maybe next time use a quilt but stay away from red white and blue ones.
It must be this monitor because I just got an eye exam. I don't see this extreme OOF/blurry issue almost every poster echos. Could id be compression? It really is hard to judge by the low-res file posted. I'll have to check again tomorrow on my AppleCD.
But anyways, the shot is OK. The lighting is fine, focus seems ok, composition very plain but no cut limbs or anything. The biggest problems I see right away seem to be the pose, expression, and I think it could be a little tigher.
Well after the first two pages I stopped reading so I am not sure what else was said. design152 I don't think you meant this picture as an insult in way shape or form but I also do not think you know the proper "rules" (there are no laws about the flag) for how the flag should be flown. The flag should not be used as clothing and every attempt should be made so that the flag does not touch the ground.
lol im with Holden, aussies are much much more relaxed about stuff like this
but NEVER EVER get out of buying your round at the local... that is a massive no no down under.
Me, personally, its a piece of material. If u were to burn or drag along the ground my head or my heart, where my national pride is situated (most of the time) then id have issues.
Ok, photo wise. Its an ok photo but it took me a while to see that she was sitting. Maybe a sexier pose without pants on (undies, bikiki) and her wrapped in the flag.. dunno.. not the worlds best portrait photographer!
While I think the photo is of suspect quality, from a socialogical perspective I find it extremely interesting that often the most popular threads on this website feature the poorest quality photography. What is it about bad photos and evoking emotion that has FM so choked up?
Like I have said before, all these message boards are a great case study for how humans behave when there is nothing to hold them accountable
