Soviet Propaganda (self portrait)

[minicoop1985]

Was just playing with different lighting schemes when this idea popped into my head. A cheesy Soviet propaganda selfie! I need a different pin for the hat, though. CC on lighting particularly appreciated.

Soviet Propaganda by longm1985, on Flickr

 

[tirediron]

The lighting is fine; it's not terribly exciting, but it's also not totally flat. In short: it works. My only real nit is that the camera position was a bit low, and the composition is a little more 'up the nose' than I think might be ideal.

 

[pixmedic]

I agree with the lighting being fine.
Angle IS a little low for what I normally like. The background is....interesting?
Not a bad shot overall.

 

[Overread17 5]

I'm not seeing soviet - I'm seeing Sweep
Yes that Sweep from Sooty and Co! (yes I know he's got black ears but still that's all I can see)

 

[JacaRanda]

You know - Last night I watched 30 for 30 on ESPN. It was about the U.S. defeating The Soviet Union in hockey 1980 Winter Olympics. ((((MIRACLES))))

The circles on your background give it that olympic ring vibe. Interesting.

If you get a chance to watch that program, check it out. It was done through the Russian players perspective. Did not know most of their players were against the coach pulling their best goalie after one period. None dared say anything about it - they felt it was not their place to voice an opinion.

 

[SoulfulRecover]

needs more red and hammers! I like the concept though. just gotta really push the stereo type if youre going with a title like that

 

[unpopular]

Agree without the hammer you just look Canadian.

Though maybe not enough denim.

 

[sashbar]

OK. Nice portrait.
As for the authenticity - here is some short in-depth hat analysis for those who would want to fool a Russian with a fur hat, which is not easy.
There were two types of Soviet adult ushanka hats - military and civilian.
Military hats had an emblem which is a red star in a golden laurel wreath, or just a red star with a hammer and sickle. A genuine military ushanka was immediately recognised as it was omnipresent in the streets and they all had the same design. There were also semi-military hats like railroad workers, pilots etc, but we will put that aside as it was not really common.
Civilian hats never had any emblem, badge or symbol. It was always plain. It would not even cross the Soviet's mind to put some badge on a fur hat unless it is a military uniform.
The civilian hats with badges were pure foreign invention modelled on Soviet military hats and reintroduced to the Russian followers of fashion in the 1990-s and were gladly accepted.
Civilian ushankas were (with rare exception) made of natural fur - sheepskin, rabbit, fox, muskrat, mink, and sometimes more exotic, like polar wolf ( this one looks great and cost a monthly salary easy).
Ushanka hats were being worn by Soviets with ear flaps tied up at the crest of a hat - always! It sort of defeated its purpose and design, but wearing it with flaps down considered not really manly and was akin of wearing unzipped pants. It was basically considered better to freeze your ears to the stage where they start falling off than to untie the flaps and reveal yourself as a bloody peasant or a, well, foreigner. Foreigners were immediately recognised by the Soviets by the funny way they were wearing their ushankas - with the flaps down.
By now, ladies and gentlemen, you have realised that the ushanka hat in the picture can not be possibly Russian. It has no laces and simply can not be tied up. What would a Soviet man do with this hat? Probably would have glued the flaps to the top.
The second feature in this image is the Adidas hoodie. Adidas garments were quite exotic back in USSR and have even earned a two-line poem:
Тот, кто носит адидас,
Завтра родину продаст.
Which rhymes perfectly and can be translated as:
Those who's wearing Adidas
Will sell their Motherland tomorrow
I do not know where it came from, but it was a widespread joke, and for many Soviets an ushanka and Adidas in one package would have some ironic connotations.
The background is fine - typical Soviet curtains The beard though is probably trimmed too well.