This photo would have looked so much better if you had taken it from a position more to the right. Not only you more to the right, but also your subject. Try to create the situation that the guy stands next to the flagpole, while his body covers the parked vehicles. The more rightward shooting angle would also take out the powerline cariers at the right.
Try to include the whole flag, by standing back and zooming in. Standing back would also avoid that shadow. A reflector on the ground could fill in the eye area. Eyes are one of the most important aspects in portaiture.
I am sure that this guy's time is limited, but shooting at a time when the sun is lower and more reddish could also fill in the shadow under the eye and give a more balanced color & tone response.
I'm guessing this is someone who came home or on their way out? A wonderful idea but the shot itself really leaves me wanting. The set up is a bit off, the flag pole looks like it's coming out of his head and the shot itself is a bit blurry. I think you wanted the flag in the shot but the set up could have been different. The cropping is a bit loose on the sides and if he was more to the side of the flag pole. A 4
Whoever it is, please tell them thank you from me and my family for their service and willingness to serve.
this image has potential. The shadow, powerlines, cars, houses, cut off flag, and trees all detract from the strong central subjects ( soldier and flag ) If you were to reshoot this from a low angle ( read: get on your knees or set up a tripod low - and shoot up at the subject). This will serve to do a couple of things. One, it will cut out all of the clutter - you will only see the soldier, the flag pole, and the flag. Clean and simple. Something tells me that you don't really want the volkswagen in there anyway - if it doesn't help convey your point or emotion, cut it out. Two, shooting up at your subject gives a feeling of power - which is appropriate with this subject. This technique will help you compose a shot with a less than ideal background. Now, having said all that, I'm only going to include the main subjects in my scoring of this pic. The cut off flag and overexposed "badge" are the only real detractors. 5.
Wonderful Idea and I see you were trying hard to get the entire flag in the picture. Hard to do from that distance. :) One suggestion would be to have tried to keep the powerline tower out of the shot. Great theme, though.
The theme is good and the picture is clear, the guy in uniform and the flag - the only suggestion going forward would be to try place the person so that the flag is not growing uut of his head. A less cluttered background may also make it a more powerful picture. I realize the above suggestions may be impossible to do in some places ...but I those were the only things I could think of that could be improved.
I'm sure you are going to get this a lot, and I know it was probably the point to have the flag in the background, but it looks like it is coming right out of his head which is very bothersome. Also the background is extremely distracting... using a fill flash for under the brim of his hat probably would have helped.
Add photograph to your favorites
Add photographer to your favorites
