pics from iraq

aramator · Jul 3, 2008

hello everyone,

obviously i am new here, im also new to the forum thing. here are some pics from iraq where i am currently at. i am a marine who loves photography, and one of the few out here. i have done some editing in photoshop, all have been taken with a rebel xti. tell me what you think and what i could improve on, thx

1.

2.

3.

tirediron · Jul 3, 2008

Strong images! C&C per req:
1. Good exposure and B&W conversion, but the composition doesn't really take advantage of the subject. For most photography, try and avoid centering the main subject, rather, use the rule of thirds. Additionally, with this one, I think a 3/4 perspective on the building to give the viewer a sense of depth would have helped.
2. As per 1 with for the composition. Also note the hard shadows on the RH side and highlights on the left. A little tweak in levels & curves could help to even this out.
3. Nice, well composed, good subject, but very much in need of a levels & curves adjustment to brighten up the soldier and vehicle.

Just my $00.02 worth - your milage may vary.
~John

Ejazzle · Jul 4, 2008

i like them all. i like the certain darkness in each picture. it sets the mood well. i would change a thing on the third one. just remember the rule of thirds. ireally like all three of these alot though!

thanks for being out there and fighting for my self and the rest of america. its greatly appreciated. thank you!!

Senor Hound · Jul 4, 2008

That first image is very moving. I don't want to get political, but I feel images like these are important as they are the only way to bring the true emotions of the war home. Thank you for sharing, and I hope you get to come home soon!

BTW, not to argue, but I think the first one works well without the rule of thirds because of its symmetry. But tirediron is a wonderful critic, better than I am by far, and both of our opinions are just that, our own beliefs. In the end, its the shot that makes YOU happy that is "correct."

Helen B · Jul 4, 2008

I think that the framing and composition of the first one suits the subject very well. Straightforward and powerful. If anything I'd like to have seen a little more of the sky to balance up the foreground.

The second one makes me want to step a little to the right, to place the fountain more in the empty space immediately to its left, but it is still an interesting picture as it is, and it is your picture, not mine.

I like the casual nature of the third. He looks like he has his hands in his pockets, and what small spark of interest he has is more focused on you than in whatever is happening/has happened just out of our sight.

Best,
Helen

RandyB · Jul 4, 2008

armator! Thanks for sharing these photos! They are great and thanks for defending our country! I'm with the AF and wish the best. Hope you are coming home soon!

JIP · Jul 4, 2008

I like the images you might put ome descriptions of what is going on in the bottom one though the first two are pretty self explanitory. I do think the first one is a very powerful image thoughand really caught my eye right off the bat.

Bryant · Jul 4, 2008

#3 is my favorite, #1 is a little of balance, use the ruler in PS to level it. Other than that, they're great.

Mav · Jul 4, 2008

Great photos, and God Bless you for your service. Stay safe, Marine!

Bifurcator · Jul 4, 2008

Stay away from shelled buildings and old vehicles. A hell of allot of DU was and is still being used in Iraq and what they tell you about it being safe just ain't true! By the end of 2006 we had sprayed over 800 tons of DU in Iraq. It's found in fairly concentrated levels around shelled vehicles and buildings (maybe like the one in your photo). It gets in you body and stays there causing all kinds of health problems. One of the places it concentrates (in your body) is your reproductive organs making YOU a virtual delivery system when you get back home.

http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=P-8PlJVhogs

http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=gvIqhVnaalo

http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=RvCmthsTEGA Part 1
http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=qrnKM_2anFo Part 2
http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=W_7p1dMC1n8 Part 3

http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=U93PBZIyqBs (Army training video)

http://www.yesmagazine.org/article.asp?ID=594
[video=google;-2082651394423849423]http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2082651394423849423&q=Doug+Rokke&ei=UIxuSN2ZEIbCwgOs1cGeAg[/video]

And etc. you can find thousands more articles and video on the topic by doing a little searching. Search for DU, Depleted Uranium, U-238, uranium 238, etc.

Don't be a victim and don't bring it home to your family - be careful!

aramator · Jul 5, 2008

tirediron said:
Strong images! C&C per req:
1. Good exposure and B&W conversion, but the composition doesn't really take advantage of the subject. For most photography, try and avoid centering the main subject, rather, use the rule of thirds. Additionally, with this one, I think a 3/4 perspective on the building to give the viewer a sense of depth would have helped.
~John

thanks for the recomendations though, what exactly what do you mean by 3/4 perspective?

for everyone else, i really appriciate the feed back, i have been wanting to expand my skills, and i think this is just the place to do it givin my situation. thank you all for the support!

here are some explinations of the pics;
1. this building is in northern iraq out in the middle of nowhere. i belive it is what is left of an iraqi airbase. the iraqi's used this area for artilery trainning probably back in the 90's

2.this fountin is in a court yard in camp falujah, i live in the compound that it resides. i think that the court yard used to be a part of a resort or somthing of that nature.

3. dont worry this was a day at the machine gun range testing our skills. the explosion in the background was just a controled detination by Explosive Ordinance Dissposal.

Ron Evers · Jul 5, 2008

All I can say is what a shame, so much destruction & for what?

aramator · Jul 5, 2008

Ron Evers said:
All I can say is what a shame, so much destruction & for what?

who's to say... im just fullfilling the duties as a servicemen and to my country. i can understand though. i have just decided to find an optimistic view and try to create some art. one must find beauty in the small things in life

RyanLilly · Jul 5, 2008

aramator said:
thanks for the recomendations though, what exactly what do you mean by 3/4 perspective?

I think they mean shooting it from the corner of the building, so you can see both the front and side wall.

Also I like the descriptions that you added, they give a brief insight to spending a moment in your shoes.

Keep shooting(photos), and posting!