First dslr photo

[Pyle]

My dad's a Vietnam War vet. So I had the idea of taking a picture of him with the American flag he was awarded a few years back to honor his service. Any critique is welcome.

Taken by T3i on Auto -

 

[mmaria]

Nice idea but it has to be more carefully planned and set.
Watch for your background, don't put the kitchen in this story.
Maybe he should hold that flag a bit more higher. watch for that glass reflection.

 

[ronlane]

mmaria pretty well covered it. Nice concept and a proud moment. I would suggest finding a nice plain background and then shoot from a lower angle, say sitting on the ground. I think you'll bring more of him into the picture. I sort of wanted to see his face in this shot, but that may not be as strong of a photo.

 

[weags77]

First off I want to thank your dad. Sincerely, it's bravery on a level unknown to most of us.

As for the photo, ill echo the thought of Ron and Maria. Take your time with this shot. Think it through and visualize how you want it to look before you set it up. Then capture it with the camera.

Once you get the idea down, run with it. Shoot from as many angles as possible, shoot a hundred pics if you have to. Thats the beauty of digital.

A few things you could try too would be to hang up an old plain sheet behind him for a clean background or go outside on a bench or chair during the " golden hours." Make it unique and communicate the message you want to send with it. This is going to be a very special photo to your father and you so no need to rush it.