How is this perceived by Americans?

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

06/29/2006 07:23:09 PM · #1

Recently I took this photo because I've been wanting to try this water droplet technique and with the upcoming holiday I thought this was an apropriate subject. Here is the dilema: regardless of how the image is oriented, either the flag in the background or the flags in the droplets will be displayed "improperly." I know from my days as a boyscout that the union (aka the stars) should always be in the upper left regardless of whether the flag is horizontal or vertical.

Basically all I want to know is, is the out of focus, upside-down flag in this photo offensive to anyone? It surely is not intended to be.

Melethia

Canon EOS-80D

06/29/2006 07:26:18 PM · #2

If it were me, I'd turn the OOF flag rightside up and leave the reflections upside down.

klstover

Panasonic DMC-FZ8

06/29/2006 07:26:29 PM · #3

No, it doesn't offend me. But it would surely make me stop and think about the fact that the flag is upside down, versus the actual merits of the shot itself. I would probably much prefer a version where the flags in the drops were upside down.

littlegett

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

06/29/2006 07:27:23 PM · #4

As an artist, I understand that one has to be sacraficed for the other.

To me, the way it is, because the right side up flags are the ones in focus, and is the main image. Because the other way, they would all be uside down and the main flag blurry which I think would be a worce insult.

I am prior Service in the US Armed Forces... and I don't take offence to the image.

DjFenzl

06/29/2006 07:27:46 PM · #5

I'd prefer if you just made it vertical.

Put the background stars in the upper left.

klstover

Panasonic DMC-FZ8

06/29/2006 07:28:38 PM · #6

Originally posted by Megatherian:

I'd prefer if you just made it vertical.

Put the background stars in the upper left.

Oooh, that's a good idea.

mtwain

Kodak DX6490

06/29/2006 07:28:42 PM · #7

It's actually a cool effect. It's not offensive to me.

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

06/29/2006 07:31:58 PM · #8

Flying the flag upside-down is also used as a distress signal, and consequently has occasionally been used that way a form of political protest by those who with to express their love of country while disagreeing with the policies of its current regime.
================
Yesterday's radio commentary by Dave Ross on CBS:

FLAG BURNING
June 28th, 2006

The flag survives by ONE VOTE! This is Dave Ross ...

By one vote, the Senate has saved innumerable flags from desecration, and I know you'll say, Dave, what are you talking about-- the Senate actually FAILED to pass that amendment protecting the flag. It fell one vote SHORT of the 67 votes necessary to send it to the states for ratification.

Well, I know that, but I just look at what happened the LAST time Congress tried to protect the flag through legislation.

It was 1989, and an artist by the name of Dread Scott Tyler had an exhibit in Chicago where the flag was displayed on the floor. Like a doormat. People were stepping on it. The outrage was immediate, and by October, Congress had passed the Flag Protection Act of 1989.

What happened next? Did everybody stop disrespecting the flag?

Well, let me run down the list.

October 28. As the law takes effect at midnight, 500 protestors in Seattle start desecrating every flag they can find.

October 30. Four people burn flags on the steps of the US Capitol.

Fall 1989. Anti-flag rallies and art shows break out at Princeton, Berkeley, Wesleyan, and other schools; no one is charged.

February 1990. 2,000 people in San Francisco drape an effigy of President Bush in American flags, set him on a flag-draped throne, flank it with waving flags above, and a 30 foot flag in the street below, and set the whole thing on fire.

You see what I'm saying? The 1989 flag protection law probably destroyed more star spangled banners than the war of 1812.

So yes, the Senate, fell one vote short of passing the flag Amendment. And today, thousands of innocent American flags are breathing a sigh of relief.

Message edited by author 2006-06-29 19:32:54.

JRalston

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

06/29/2006 07:33:03 PM · #9

Originally posted by Melethia:

If it were me, I'd turn the OOF flag rightside up and leave the reflections upside down.

I like this idea too. Without you mentioning it, I would not have taken it as offensive, but I definitely would have suggested flipping it over for aesthetics sake.

P.S. Wow, spelled aesthetics right on my first try. Bonus points ;o)

TG73

Konica Minolta DiMAGE A200

06/29/2006 07:33:35 PM · #10

The upside down flag is an international distress symbol. Considering the current administration, I find it appropriate. :)

ShutterPug

Canon EOS-6D

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

06/29/2006 07:34:09 PM · #11

The flag when flown upside down indicates the country is in distress. I do not find anything offensive about your image at all. Infact I find it very artistic and to tell a wonderful story. While the background flag is a sign of distress, the upright flags in the droplets give encouragement. I think in these days and times our country is in a bit of distress. The water droplets give me hope that things can be turned around.

v5planet

Pentax K7

Pentax FA 77mm f/1.8 Limited AF

06/29/2006 07:35:30 PM · #12

Originally posted by TG73:

The upside down flag is an international distress symbol. Considering the current administration, I find it appropriate. :)

It depends on whether or not a political message is the goal here. ;)

I agree with the people that say the background flag should be oriented correctly.

wavelength

Nikon D300

06/29/2006 07:38:22 PM · #13

Originally posted by Megatherian:

I'd prefer if you just made it vertical.

Put the background stars in the upper left.

Dang, I was gong to say that.

It's not offensive, it just looks wrong upside down. The water drops my brain knows are supposed to be that way, the flag is not.

sabphoto

Samsung Galaxy S8/S8+

06/29/2006 07:39:31 PM · #14

Originally posted by ShutterPug:

very well said and a great idea...

I too would like it vertical.

Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 28-70mm f/2.8D IF-ED

06/29/2006 07:39:32 PM · #15

Originally posted by Megatherian:

I'd prefer if you just made it vertical.

Put the background stars in the upper left.

But then the in-focus flags would have the stars in the lower right corner. In my opinion it's truly a conundrum with no "correct" way to photograph the flag using this technique. I just hope that people view it as a positive work of art.

Nald

Nikon D700

06/29/2006 07:40:23 PM · #16

Agreed, flag upside down is a distress signal..

I'm overseas at the moment and I've even seen service men/women with the flag upside down on their uniforms. You have the right as a human to express YOUR opinion, leave it as it is!

Carl Zeiss 50mm ZE f/1.4 Planar T for Canon

06/29/2006 07:42:59 PM · #17

Originally posted by wavelength:

Originally posted by Megatherian:
I'd prefer if you just made it vertical.

Put the background stars in the upper left.

Dang, I was gong to say that.

It's not offensive, it just looks wrong upside down. The water drops my brain knows are supposed to be that way, the flag is not.

Ok, that makes sense to me, that one would expect to see the water droplets in reverse.

DjFenzl

06/29/2006 07:44:09 PM · #18

well the other option is to change the size ration so the flag is so ginormous in the background (compared to the water drops) you can't see the stars.

yanko

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

06/29/2006 07:59:40 PM · #19

Well this American hates the water reflection technique. Oh wait you were referring to the flag. :P Oh nevermind. That's fine with me. If I had a yanko flag I wouldn't mind if you hung it upside down. Now just don't sneeze on it and be sure to clean it 5 times a week and cuddle with it and say it's the bestest flag in the whole world and frame it over your mantle. :P