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The flag

© Peter W. Marks

The flag

Uploaded: November 20, 2010

Description

Exif: F Number: 9, Exposure Bias Value: -0.33, ExposureTime: 1/1000 seconds, Flash: did not fire, compulsory flash mode, ISO: 100, FocalLength: 40.00 mm, Model: Canon EOS 50D

Comments

Stephen Shoff November 20, 2010

Pretty dramatic, Peter. I like the overall effect.

The picture is dark and the colors muted. Did you try it with a little brighter blue in the sky, and in the red in the flag? #1329098

Aimee C. Eisaman November 21, 2010

I'm in agreement with Stephen. It seems like it needs more pop for the flag as the brightness of the sky draws the most attention. I can't say right now if I like the effect there seems to be on the flag because it is so dark. :~) #9055756

Michael Kelly level-classic November 21, 2010

Very dramatic sky and I like the comp.

The flag and pole look strange to me and over processed, but not sure what you were trying to do with it. There is almost a frost type border around the flag and pole as well as some blotches on the pole itself. Perhaps a peek at the original might be good in order to provide some suggestions. #9055804

Rita K. Connell level-classic November 21, 2010

I not sure what I am feeling about this image its dark but yet there is a light of hope, the flag sends a strong message, but....halo around the flag needs to be fix its a distraction. I think the darkest cloud on left needs lighten up some. #9056138

Jeff E Jensen November 21, 2010

I agree with the others, this is an interesting image, and a little different than we are used to from you Peter. I really like the composition. #9056173

Dale Hardin November 22, 2010

Also agree with the others Peter. The idea is good but the over processing of the flag is a major distraction. I have to assume this is a composite and would love to see the originals. #9057377

Debbie E. Payne November 22, 2010

Peter - I like the "moodiness" of this shot but am concerned about the outline around the flag. I think if you are willing to work on this shot, it can become even better than it is now! #9057413

Carla Capra Anderson November 22, 2010

Hi Peter;
I'm in agreement with what has been said here. I love that sky n clouds. The halo continually draws my eye to the flag. Is that what you hoped for?
;) CC #9057436

Peter W. Marks November 22, 2010

Well my friends, this image achieved a variety of responses and let me say right off, I wasn't pleased with the pole either, but became impatient and with my usual disregard for doing things well I just thought "what the hell!" lol (ie I had no idea how to do it better)
Below is the original image that I made last year when I took my one and only BP course, a 4 week, 'Techniques of Natural Light' taught by Jim Zuckerman and which received favorable comments from Jim. This is my flag, flown at the entrance to our drive and I used the image to demonstrate one part of the course, "Backlighting".
The revised version "The flag" had a different intention. I am the only resident on our lane that flies the flag and as I am still a Brit not a US citizen, I hope it can be seen as an object of my great respect for my adopted country. So in altering this image I had in mind The Star Spangled Banner and the second stanza which starts :-
"On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam."

So my friends, the thought was there even if not well executed but 'dimly seen' in the anthem was what I portrayed and intended so only tried to bring out sufficient detail from the deep shadow to show which flag we are looking at.
So guys, give me a C+ and I will try to do better next time.
#9057760

Kathleen Nealon November 23, 2010

Peter, thanks for the information behind the image. I too wish we would explain more when we post our images.

I like your POV and composition very much. And since this scene is so near, why not try a series using the same pov and comp at different times of the day, with different skies, during different seasons, and/or using different post processing techniques.

Happy Thanksgiving on your adopted holiday. One Thanksgiving in England we went to St. Paul's in London for an 11am service and then turkey dinner in the catacombs. It was a very nice gesture on
St. Paul's part and helped us feel less homesick. #9060279

Peter W. Marks November 23, 2010

Thank you so much Kathe. I shall be taking up your suggestion and in fact have two or three images from the same pov somewhere in my disorganized, chaotic files. But! I have found one!

#9060495

Peter W. Marks November 23, 2010

Thank you so much Kathe. I shall be taking up your suggestion and in fact have two or three images from the same pov somewhere in my disorganized, chaotic files. But! I have found one!
I admit to being too slap-happy with my images to ever produce BP winners but I do try to explain to folks why I make an image; what my intentions are and I guess I just hope they will put themselves in my mind for just a few seconds. Of course I don't expect everyone to wax lyrical about say, a ship, as I might, but I would love for folk to look beyond the tiny blown highlights and wonder where that ship has travelled on the oceans of the world and in the case of my flag image to wonder what a foreigner, an alien, feels when he sings 'America the Beautiful' or 'My Country 'tis of thee'. Incidentally when we sing this last hymn at church my pastor looks across at me and smiles because he just knows that this Brit is silently mouthing, "God save Our gracious Queen", which is our national anthem and is sung to the identical tune.
OK, so here's Old Glory in full sunlight and just to show you I have forgiven you all for that 'Tea in Boston Harbour' thing you pulled.

#9060589

Peter W. Marks November 23, 2010

Oh yes, and thank you Kathe for your Thanksgiving wishes and now you have made me all nostalgic. Turkey in the catacombs. I wonder what Sir Christopher Wren would have made of that! Best wishes to you and your family. May God bless you. #9060614

Aimee C. Eisaman November 24, 2010

Thanks so much for all of that explination. It certainly changes the feelings I have toward that first post. The dramatic sky and the shadowed flag were just what you needed. :~) #9061077

Joan E. Hoffman November 24, 2010

Well I guess I am somewhat "Peter the Minor" but without a plan. I am not a very good editor to begin with, and don't have the sharp eye for detail. I too, often wish the small flaws could be overlooked for the overall shot... but then every morning when I recieve my POTD in my email, I see what can be accomplished when these small details have been attended to!. (And of course it helps to have a really great shot to start with LOL). I actually quite like your post Peter, and your explanation makes it that much more poignant. I really like your original post that you did for your course! Very nice. #9061227

Teresa H. Hunt November 24, 2010

Peter, all these shots, I think, tell their own story. But my favorite is your last post. To see the flag flying with America's Heartland in the background gives me good feelings! :) #9061572

Michael Kelly level-classic November 24, 2010

Thank you for the Thanksgiving wishes, you have a great day tomorrow too Peter.

Also just to show we can let things go too, hardly anyone here even remembers King George. #9061615

Ellen H. Robertson level-classic November 24, 2010

Peter I really like the one titled backlighting. Love the sky and there is a hint of seeing the colors in the flag. I think it is very dramatic, and fits in very well with the Star Spangled Banner.
Thank you for being so American in your Brit way. #9061726

Peter W. Marks November 24, 2010

I thank you all for understanding where I was coming from with these images.
Wish you hadn't mentioned Crazy George, Mike. I was hoping you were one of those who had forgotten him! :0)

In two weeks time I will have been living here for 18 years but I still get so much pleasure from everyday subjects that are unique to this country. It could be a style of old barn; it could be water towers; it could be something as simple as a street full of utility poles that lean in every direction and which have me shaking my head over one of the most advanced countries in the world seemingly unable to set its poles straight. (No wonder Dale is hyper-sensitive about tilts, and is embarassed by them :0) Even stopping my truck to allow a possum or a box turtle to slowly amble across our lane is a source of pleasure.
I feel so blessed. Happy Holiday to all of you. #9061994


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