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-Funeral for a Friend

© ronda chatelle

-Funeral for a Friend

Uploaded: October 12, 2005 04:16:06

Description

FAIR OAKS,California

Thousands of people attended a recent funeral for two young, well liked pilots that were killed while patroling Lake Natoma, California.

Their helicopter crashed into the side of a hill while spectators watched horrified, unable to do anything to stop it. The manufacture of the helicopter has taken responsibility for the malfunction that caused the accident. While hundreds of police officers were attending the televised funeral I was in the parking lot hoping to capture a memory of my own.

Comments

Roxanne M. Bubar October 12, 2005

Oh my, I am so sorry for your lose. How tragic for everyone. They must of been well loved.
#325541

ronda chatelle level-classic October 13, 2005

Oh Roxanne..You are such a sweetie!I had a feeling I shouldn't of used this title.. I'm sorry, this wasn't a friend of mine.

These were two police helicopter pilots, and most all of the attendees were other police officers on their motorcyles. I was just there to try and get some pictures of the bikes;)...its still a mystery to me why there was such an extensive funeral. It started at one location around 9:00 am and these photos were taken around 5:00 pm. They moved around all day. Closing entire streets and parts of the freeways all with taxpayers money. It was televised! I had never seen anything like it. So..yes they must of been loved. It was very sad. Anyhow, the bikes look cool huh? #1946458

Derek Winchester November 03, 2005

Great shot, I really like the leading lines here and the b+w really adds to the sense of a funeral. Reminds me of the 21 gun salute they do. #2030857

ronda chatelle level-classic November 12, 2005

Thanks for taking time to comment Derek. #2067803

Stanley J. Contrades November 23, 2005

CONGRATULATIONS on this being chosen as a Finalist, Ronda, and much good luck to you in the next round!!
Much Aloha,
Stan
#2115451

Jill Odice level-classic November 24, 2005

Congrats on this well earned finalist Ronda! #2115692

Peter W. Marks August 19, 2006

Hi Ronda! I am fascinated by this image- it is thoroughly thought provoking. Without any title it is an almost abstract design but the "Police" logos indicates this is more than an image of industrial curves. Then the original title steers one's thoughts to how our public services respond with such support to tragedy among their colleagues.
Then your response to Roxanne's concern reveals a whole different layer of possibilities. What is the artist telling me the viewer? Was this just a photo opportunity to capture a wonderful collection of bikes arranged with military precision or is she using this as a photo-journalistic opportunity to make a personal social statement of the (mis)use of tax payers' money?
Ronda, I have got through two cups of coffee just pondering this one image and you have another couple of hundred on your super gallery. It might be Saturday but I have work to do girl! But I will be back!

Pete #3184461

ronda chatelle level-classic August 21, 2006

Well Pete I hope you got some work done!!! Thank you so much for taking your time to view and comment as you have. It is rare that I encounter someone that is able to accurately detect the layers of thought behind the lens. At least mine.

Opposition and Balance are emotions that plague my view. Confliction and confusing emotions taken out on my camera! I am fasinated with the depth of your instinct; still... unable to clear up what the artist was trying to say. It seems that you have literally experienced the image with a precision I'm not used to. Thank you! #3195749

Bill Wyatt December 01, 2006

A very belated Congratulations to you on your special Finalist! Beautiful work Ronda! #3655379

Darryl Wilkinson December 01, 2006

A touching and most memorable finalist, ronda. It's good to see that your photogenic vision was recognized. Congratulations on your award. #3656071

Raymond Pauly December 01, 2006

Wow!! This is one cool shot! #3656330

Tammy Espino February 23, 2008

CONGRATS! WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO #5541469

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