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The Torch Of Freedom
The Torch Of Freedom
GeneralE


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Giving Thanks (Classic Editing)
Collection: Portfolio
Camera: Olympus D-490Z
Location: Concord, California, USA
Date: Nov 27, 2003
Aperture: 3.6
ISO: 400.144
Shutter: 1/2
Galleries: Family, Political
Date Uploaded: Nov 28, 2003

 After dinner, Isaac's sister Hannah was playing with torches in her dad's back yard. I asked her to strike the Miss Liberty pose to take advantage of the rare opportunity ... I decided in these days of international gloom those few who are truly championing freedom deserve our thanks.

I liked the way the dark encroaches on her -- to me it's unfortunately symbolic of the state things today. I left the red cast (I tried B+W) after the style of 1920's- and 30's-era political posters.

This is cropped and resized, but otherwise completely unadjusted/unaltered. It's a little blurry (handheld at 1/2 second) but I didn't think sharpening helped any. Incandescent lighting (oil and cotton on a stick) provided the only light -- I tried one with a fill flash but it didn't look right at all.

Statistics
Place: 54 out of 56
Avg (all users): 4.6552
Avg (commenters): 4.7000
Avg (participants): 4.2143
Avg (non-participants): 4.9054
Views since voting: 1354
Votes: 116
Comments: 12
Favorites: 0

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AuthorThread
 12/12/2003 05:01:43 PM
Originally posted by TooCool:
Finally, the thing I like best about it is that you tried something totally different from all the other shots I've seen. You showed great originality here. Unfortunately, here if it's new and it ain't dang near perfect, it's not gonna get much of a reception.
TC

A fine review, and I've decided I can live with the low technical scores, if a few people can see past them to "get" the underlying idea.

Thanks!
 12/12/2003 08:21:25 AM
From the Critique Club

Things I like: I love what you are trying to say with this shot but have to admit that I didn't get it till after the challenge when I read your comments. I really like the anti-silhouette (for lack of a better term) look of the subject. Good use of negative spacing. I actually kind of like the noise in this shot. Nice balanced compostion within the frame.

Things I don't like: The shot is out of focus. My camera is only a step up from yours and I understand how difficult it can be to focus in the dark. I have the best luck when working with something this dark by focusing with other lights on (just enough light to get the autofocus to lock on) and using the timer to give me time to get the lights back off again. Also the subject is very dark. It needs some kind of fill lighting. I know that you say you tried the onboard flash and believe you when you say it don't look right, but this shot needs more lighting. I might have tried more fire (candles or another torch made the same as the first to duplicate the light temp.) or some kind of reflector. I am having my own lighting issues and can understand how frustrating it can be trying to get it right.

Finally, the thing I like best about it is that you tried something totally different from all the other shots I've seen. You showed great originality here. Unfortunately, here if it's new and it ain't dang near perfect, it's not gonna get much of a reception.
TC
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
12/02/2003 03:53:16 AM
Nice idea but a bit too blurry for my tatse.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/30/2003 10:13:28 AM
Splendid idea. Is out of focus, but maybe that was your aim. Meets the Challenge.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/30/2003 09:25:06 AM
An interesting idea, worthy of thanks. Wish your model were lit betterand in better focus, and I could see on her face how she feels about the freedom she is charged with. Where is she going with it? What will she do with it? I get the light in the darkness and the seriousness, but I need more.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/30/2003 12:25:28 AM
The light makes it look a bit out of focus its a bit on the dark side but the idea is good
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/29/2003 11:22:50 AM
Bad Points: OOF and quite dull sorry
Good Points: ok idea if it was sharper and better exposed
Overall Score: 1
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/29/2003 10:11:57 AM
nice thought for Thanksgiving.....
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/29/2003 09:11:57 AM
Good and I like it.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/29/2003 06:18:41 AM
i personally don't like the the momotone red here....the subject is also blurry and out of focus (if those two are different) i would have liked to see more detail in the flame...and maybe a little more stretched arm...but thats me.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/29/2003 12:45:16 AM
Yes it is. The shot leave a lot technically though. A 5
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 11/29/2003 12:24:08 AM
This is cool, looks like it could be a poster. I like it.
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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