Being a reservist, it's hard to separate my military and civilian life. My fiancee is particularly worried that I'll get deployed soon. The military and civilian life are two very opposite things - one very structured and rigid, the other very disorganized and come-what-may. Photographically, the shot was desaturated a bit and cropped square.
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This picture is very hard for me to critique from a non-emotional level, which is good. It means that your photo is strong enough to cause a reaction in a viewer. Personally, it pulls at both my concern for the current military action in Iraq and my friend the Marine who will be beginning his second tour of duty in Iraq soon. It highlights for me that soldiers cannot be lumped up with the government as one big entity- that they are both citizens and soldiers, a strong opposite indeed sometimes.
Compositionally, I have some problems with it. I'd rather there be one photo than two, as it splits the focus, and the photo you chose to highlight is a little wonky. The arch in the picture is confusing- because the hat butts up against it the arch looks like a cuttout or frame instead of part of the picture. Instead of a second photo, some objects of home life might have worked better against the uniform. I do like the slight desaturation very much.
I hope this is helpful, please feel free to email me and questions or comments!
Amanda
An interesting still life composition. I ilke your dof and the detail captured in the textures of the different fabrics and fasteners/patche. I have difficulty fitting it into the challenge topic but it's very well executed - your concept comes through clearly from your title.
I like the idea, just wondering if other objects to represent "the citizen" aspect could have been used? If so, would just objects...no depictions of people have been more effective? Still ........... excellent effort very imaginative.
Interesting thought - I hope the opposite is the fact that the member of the military may be away - and NOT that a soldier and a citizen are opposite. Overall a nicely done salute.
I like this entry for it's message...very poignant. I do wish the lighting were a tad better across the photos to really emphasize the "citizen" part...and it appears that the photo in the center is a bit OOF. But overall I like looking at this one. I hope you get more comments soon! :o)
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