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Coming Home

© Carolina K. Smith

Coming Home

Uploaded: February 26, 2009

Description

U.S. military personnel are grateful for a sense of belonging, here demonstrated by all the applause upon returning home. My son was in this group of soldiers. I wish you could have been there to feel all the emotion and electricity in the air. (Air Cavalry 4-6, 2nd ID, Fort Lewis, WA) return home after over a year of deployment in Iraq. Editorial.

Nikon D3, Nikkor 24-70 F2.8G at 24mm, f/6.7, 1/90 sec, +1EV, ISO 6400

Exif: F Number: 6.7, Exposure Bias Value: 1.00, ExposureTime: 1111111/100000000 seconds, Flash: did not fire., ISO: 6400, White balance: Auto white balance, FocalLength: 24.00 mm, Model: NIKON D3

Comments

Gina M. Savage February 26, 2009

This capture is fantastic! It brings hope for many awaiting that wonderful day of reunion. Great to know your son returned safely home. My son and husband are serving our nation as well. #1089650

Carolina K. Smith February 26, 2009

Thank you, Gina.

I took more than a hundred shots, and this one seemed to bring it all together. I didn't really notice the clapping hands in the lower left until post processing.

My heart goes out to all military families, knowing the daily angst of having a family member in a danger zone and away from hugs. God bless your family. Carolina #7218009

Ron McEwan February 26, 2009

I know the feeling so well, I went through that with my daughter. Tell your son thanks for his service. I spent 12 years at Fort Lewis, it was the 9th Inf Div and I Corp at that time. #7218021

Carolina K. Smith February 26, 2009

Thank you, Ron.

I will tell him. Thank you and your daughter likewise. God bless your service. Carolina #7218050

Pat Gamwell February 26, 2009

This shot brought instant tears and a lump in the throat! Congrats on getting your son back home. God bless each and every one of them! #7218532

Carolina K. Smith February 26, 2009

Thank you, Pam, for your kind words. Carolina #7218726

Wanda Judd level-classic February 26, 2009

Carolina, I too welled up with tears and emotion at this shot..it does capture the pride we feel when we realize the sacrifice that is made by our service men and women and their families..Thanks to your son, Gina's husband and son and Ron and his daughter...I did not realize you had a son old enough for service to country...I enjoyed the class we had with Charlie...I always admired your talent and great eye... #7218783

Carolina K. Smith February 26, 2009

Hi Wanda,
Thanks for your kind words. It is a privilege in life to be able to capture something of what we have not just seen, but felt.

Wow, I am in the process of going through your portfolio. You have a stunning sense of capture of light, movement, and form. Best of luck in your show. Now, I'm going to go back to your portfolio and feast somemore...
Carolina #7218959

February 26, 2009

First off I want to say thank you to your son, and to all of our service men and women. I also had my son-in-law come home from Afghanistan and this picture captures it all. It is so very emotional. Great job in such poor lighting. #7219066

Carolina K. Smith February 26, 2009

Thank you, Julie, for your kind words.

The Nikon D3 is what enabled me to capture the shot in such poor lighting (note it was ISO 6400!). The D3 has a very cool function called auto ISO that has changed the way I shoot photos. I used to prefer aperture priority, but now I prefer Manual. With the D2x and below, I always felt I had to sacrifice or be extremely careful in getting the shot, but since the D3 has tremendous low light capability (read that a lot less noise at higher ISO than Nikon's earlier offerings), I can also confidently set the shutter speed (faster, to reduce the chance of blur from those heavy lenses)and let the D3 pick the ISO. I shoot this way often now, when not doing 'studio' type shots. Carolina #7219087

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