Full military honors for my friend
Full military honors for my friend
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Awards
Chatter Award
People's Choice in Military Photo Challenge
People's Choice in A tribute to a lost loved one Photo Challenge
Winner in Last day of your life Photo Challenge
People's Choice in HONORING OUR MILITARY Photo Challenge
People's Choice in CREAVIVE FLAG PHOTO Photo Challenge
Winner in A Scene For Memorial Day Photo Challenge
People's Choice in Honor those lose their lives in Military service Photo Challenge
People's Choice in Cemeteries Photo Challenge
Winner in Honoring The Fallen Photo Challenge
People's Choice in Memorial Day: the real meaning Photo Challenge
Peer Award
Top Choice
Absolute Masterpiece
Magnificent Capture
Superb Composition
All Star
Outstanding Creativity
Superior Skill
Virtuoso
Genius
Top Ranks
Categories
Norona
July 16, 2017
Beautiful tribute to your friend. Thank you and your friend for your service! May he rest in peace.
thatunicorngal
June 14, 2021
Congratulations! I chose your photo as the Grand Prize winner in my A Scene For Memorial Day photo challenge.
kurtsnyder
June 14, 2021
That is an amazing shot and surely the winner indeed! COngratulations on wining the Memorial Day photo challenge! Kurt
RogueAngel75
June 14, 2021
Congrats on the win! Sorry for the loss, RIP Soldier Thank you for defending our Freedom!
kurtsnyder
July 05, 2022
Congratulations on yoru winning image in the Last Day of your life challenge! Super image! Kurt
Craig-Sheffield
August 20, 2022
Congratulations on the People's Choice. A photograph like this brings a tear to my eye. (This was the winner in my opinion).
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
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Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was a military funeral at Arlington National Cemetery. It was a 95 degree day last May when we laid my friend to rest. He was an infantry Colonel who had served 3 tours in VietNam. He was 82. I had been asked by the family to be the official photographer. They didn't really have to ask. It was my honor to do it.Time
The time was shortly after noon on a cloudless dayLighting
While the road was under the shade, I was standing in full sun. A lens hood was important. Sun was nearly overheadEquipment
I was shooting a Canon T3i with a Canon 18-135 kit lens and a tulip lens hood. I was shooting video with my 70D. Tripods are not allowed at Arlington, nor are any fixed lights.Inspiration
I was honored to be asked by the family to record the event for them. My wife and I were not restricted as to where we walked, as long as it did not interfere with the official activities. The deceased had been a personal friend for 40 years, and, although part of different commands, had served at the same post as me for a time. We will all miss him.Editing
PP included cropping and brightening shadows. The bright & dark areas were extreme. I increased contrast, and then brightened the shadows.In my camera bag
It varies depending on the event. This day, I had a T3i w/ 18-135mm Canon lens, and a Canon 70D with a 28-105mm USM. I also had a Canon 70-300mm f1.4-5.6 IS USM, a Nifty 50 f1.4, and a Tokina SD 11-16mm f2.8, a Canon 430 Speedlight II (inside ceremony) with diffuser and softbox. ND & CS filters, along with spare batteries for everything, and spare SD cards. I also carry a Nikon Coolpix 3500, just in case.Feedback
This was a special occasion for me. As the photographer for the family, we had a lot of latitude. You cannot do this as a tourist. There were military roadblocks to keep the public away from the family. If you ever have the opportunity, take it. Shoot everything. Make sure you have spare SD cards & batteries. This is a bad time to run out. However, don't get to locked behind the camera that you forget why you are there. Many of the photos I took that day were when I took a minute to look around and see what else was happening. The bugler playing taps was some distance away on the hillside. Made a quick change to my 300mm lens. Tripods are forbidden at Arlington, but I should have brought my monopod. It was 95 degrees, and we were in the full sun. Stability became an issue. It was still an honor, and a privilege to do this for my friend.