i'm in iraq...here are my pics...btw i'm new (dial-up beware)

black94sol · Nov 30, 2006

well hello everyone. i'm new. i'm justin. i'm in the missouri national guard, and i am currently deployed in iraq. i'm a little new to photography. shooting w/ a canon powershot A400...i know it's a point and shoot, but i'm doing pretty good. just picked up a newer p&s, kodak z740.

please feel free to c&c my photos...btw there are alot.

ME

Here is my newest stuff w/ the kodak

took these yesterday

well that's all for now...let me know what you think

Big Mike · Nov 30, 2006

Welcome to the forum.

Wow, that's a lot of images. Lot's of good ones in there.

Michael Humle · Nov 30, 2006

Nice pics...Welcome to TPF and stay safe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

black94sol · Nov 30, 2006

thanks man...if you notice i got better as time progressed(so i'm told)

black94sol · Nov 30, 2006

btw thanks for editing the title i completely forgot

rmh159 · Nov 30, 2006

Yeah there are definitely some awesome shots in there. I love seeing those types of pics... I think they have a more authentic feel to them than what we see back home in the news.

My only comment would be to just keep taking TONS of pics. You're in a unique situation over there that few people get to experience. Looking forward to seeing some more and take care!!

fmw · Nov 30, 2006

Good stuff. Go Airborne. Keep your head down.

JJP · Nov 30, 2006

Great series, some awesome photos in there.

black94sol · Nov 30, 2006

thanks alot guys...i take pics everyday...just need to order some more batteries...damn kodak and their weird batteries

edit: any critques?? something i could improve on. someone told me to use the 2/3 rule?? can someone explain this to me??

mysteryscribe · Nov 30, 2006

Im gonna give you two pieces of advice here. One is from the first sargent I met in vietnam the other is from me.

Keep your mouth shut and your bowels open. Of course along with keeping your head down.

On photography look with your emotions as well as you eyes. You have a unique oppurtunity to speak to us about what is going on in the little picture. Screw the big picture that's cnn's job. And they aren't doing it all that well, I might add. You have chance to show people what it's like on a personal level.... socks hanging on a line or a table top of rifle parts and an oil can. We all want to see that kind of thing.

Good luck and God be with you.

black94sol · Nov 30, 2006

absolutely...will do that...you saying that, gave me so many more ideas

thanks

Big Mike · Nov 30, 2006

It's hard, or darn near impossible to give critique on so many images...it's just too confusing. The best way to get critique is to post up one image...and tell us about it (what you were thinking, what you were going for etc.)...then we can critique that one image without confusion.

As for a general rule...you are probably referring to the 'Rule of Thirds'. It's a good rule that will usually help with composition...but remember that rules are made to be broken...well some rules anyway.

The rule of thirds basically says that your strong focal points of interest should fall onto one (or more) of 4 points in the image. Imagine your image frame and draw lines to divide it into thirds...both vertically and horizontally. You should have 4 lines. Where these lines intersect...those are your magic points. Compose your shots so that the subject is on one of those points...and it should look much better than a subject that is smack in the middle.

skyonfire · Nov 30, 2006

I have to agree with everyone else. There are some amazing images there.. and I can't wait to see more! Stay safe and thanks for everything you do!

BoblyBill · Nov 30, 2006

Though I have never been to Iraq... I know that those little buggers that most call a camel spider are nasty little... errr somewhat little... things... I hate them... I love your pics... what Big Mike said is so true... Also try to put triangles in the shot as well. I don't have any excamples sorry.

black94sol · Nov 30, 2006

Big Mike said:
It's hard, or darn near impossible to give critique on so many images...it's just too confusing. The best way to get critique is to post up one image...and tell us about it (what you were thinking, what you were going for etc.)...then we can critique that one image without confusion.

As for a general rule...you are probably referring to the 'Rule of Thirds'. It's a good rule that will usually help with composition...but remember that rules are made to be broken...well some rules anyway.

The rule of thirds basically says that your strong focal points of interest should fall onto one (or more) of 4 points in the image. Imagine your image frame and draw lines to divide it into thirds...both vertically and horizontally. You should have 4 lines. Where these lines intersect...those are your magic points. Compose your shots so that the subject is on one of those points...and it should look much better than a subject that is smack in the middle.

thanks alot man...i was wondering, but now it was answered:hail:

so you think i should post some up in the critque forum w/ numbers to distinguish photos??