Guarding the Colors
Jun, 2013Views
2997
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Awards
Action Award
Chatter Award
Legendary Award
Summer 2020
Contest Finalist in 300 Soldiers Photo Contest
Top Choice
Absolute Masterpiece
Superb Composition
Peer Award
Outstanding Creativity
Jaw Dropping
All Star
Magnificent Capture
Exceptional Contrast
Superior Skill
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Top 30 rankTop 30 rank week 6
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DC9legacy
August 19, 2013
Thanks to all for the feedback/comments!! This is definitely my favorite photo that I've taken, and has inspired a few other photo ideas that I hope to be able to present here in the next week or so.
PRO+
Nikonshoooter803
October 26, 2014
As a combat veteran, this photo makes my heart race. Words can't even describe the quality of this photo. I love it. Great job!!!
PRO+
PRO+
DC9legacy
October 27, 2014
Thank you. It has been an incredible journey, and I can only hope to give a piece of my time to share with all!!
DC9legacy
October 27, 2014
Thank you again to everyone. Although I haven't responded to every comment, I definitely appreciate reading all you have had to say, and thank you all for helping to spread the image. This has always been one of my favorite images, and I'm very grateful that my boss let me photograph him in this manner.
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
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Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken while down in Camp Shelby, Mississippi in the apartment I was living in. Since I had very little furniture, it was easy to arrange. I was actually bracing a tripod on a coffee table and standing on a couch to get the image I wanted. It isn't what is behind the lens that makes a shot, but how it looks inside the lens. Don't be afraid to do crazy things to get that look you want.Time
It was mid-evening in an apartment. I used a couple of blankets to block lighting out to prevent contamination.Lighting
Less can be more. Too often as photographers we hear about hair light, split light, main light, accent lighting....etc. This was a single Canon speedlight with off camera flash controller and a 50cm diffuser on a tripod. Simple, but effective.Equipment
I used a Canon 7D, 50mm f/1.8, cheap tripod (Targus if I recall), black backdrop/stand, Canon 580EX II, off camera flash controller, SMDV 50 flash diffuser, and flash stand. (May sound like a lot, but is fairly inexpensive).Inspiration
The military is a true brotherhood, and full of traditions and symbols. The flag is the most revered, and carries equal symbology and importance across all branches as a unifying force. My initial feeling was the desire to show the care given by military personnel to protect and honor the flag. I wanted to create an image that would remind people that no matte what our country goes through, those that wear the uniform are always unified by our love for this country.Editing
The only change I did was darkening the backdrop off just a bit, as it wasn't possible to move the backdrop further back. I still try to do as much as I can before I snap the shutter.In my camera bag
Canon 7D, 50mm lens (for portraits), distance lens (for air show photography), folding light shaping/snoots/gels, two speedlights. 100mm macro lens.Feedback
Don't be afraid to try something new, especially if it is close to your heart. Your passion and dedication for the subject will reflect in your image. Also, sometimes simpler is better. Think about your image and what you want to convey to your audience. Direct, concise photos can still be very captivating and can occasionally deliver the message more effectively by pulling away distractions. Also, photography is an art. The feelings I get from the image are sometimes different from how others feel. That discussion is the essence of photography, and what keeps people coming back to your photographs over and over again.
