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Pride in those who sacraficed everything for our freedom
Pride in those who sacraficed everything for our freedom
FotoMunki


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Pride (Basic Editing III)
Camera: Canon EOS-20D
Lens: Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM
Location: Golden Gate National Cemetery, San Bruno, CA
Date: Oct 8, 2005
Aperture: f/4.0
ISO: 100
Shutter: 1/1250
Galleries: Emotive, Political
Date Uploaded: Oct 9, 2005

This veteran's cemetery is visible from a highway I frequently travel. I have often found the acres of rolling hills littered with white stones very beautiful, right up until I think about what those stones represent, and then I am humbled by the massiveness of seemingly endless rows of graves. Not trying to make any political statements here, other than I am proud of the men and women who have risked there lives to fight for the freedoms that my family and loved ones have today.

I saw this shot in my head, so I walked around trying to find an American flag to get in the picture. There were some views and angles that better represented the enormity of this cemetery, but they didn't have a flag near by - and I found it disrespectful to move a flag just for this challenge, so I went with the best setup I could find. I opened up the aperture as I wanted the background stones to appear somewhat ghostly. I also liked the way the shadows added a touch of darkness, to set a mood for how most of these people died.

Given this web sites International audience, I do not expect this picture to rate any higher than a 5, as even the current political angst in the US will leave many finding this picture somewhat cliché. But it doesn't really matter - the picture means something to me. Hopefully it will touch a few of you as well.

Statistics
Place: 54 out of 158
Avg (all users): 5.4102
Avg (commenters): 7.6667
Avg (participants): 4.8833
Avg (non-participants): 5.5714
Views since voting: 794
Views during voting: 325
Votes: 256
Comments: 10
Favorites: 0


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AuthorThread
 Comments Made During the Challenge
10/18/2005 07:07:10 PM
I like tis composition
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/18/2005 03:42:44 PM
Excellent angle, lighting, and depth of field.....this really make me feel proud.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/18/2005 12:34:42 PM
This is a really neat photo!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/18/2005 02:19:55 AM
Great POV on this shot. I like the compositional decison you made here. With part of one stone showing and the rest faded out.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/17/2005 11:29:25 PM
I think I'd like it better without the flag. Aren't opinions great :-)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/14/2005 05:56:22 PM
Great shot, excellent choice for this challenge, 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/14/2005 04:29:44 PM
Amen
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/14/2005 02:17:12 AM
very touching photo. nice point of view.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/13/2005 09:47:26 PM
WOW...I'm speechless...10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
10/12/2005 05:15:06 AM
Spelt "Sacrificed"...... Otherwise good composition and interesting
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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