Work colleague wanted me to take his picture.

[2WheelPhoto]

Only in America.

Yes. We have guns in America. Big surprise. There are also several countries in the EU that allow citizens to have guns.

OP, it looks like you shot this mid-day with harsh sunlight coming straight down on your subject. Because of that, it looks like you had to use a lot of recovery/fill light on the first photo. Frankly, I'd reshoot in shadier conditions or closer to sundown.

+1

and maybe employ some fill light in the shade make the subject pop. Also rather than waste pixels on noisy background and truck bed, I may have chopped that truck off to include only the "Sheriff" part of the door and adjusted my angle on the shot to make it right. You'd see the guy in the pic and more detail on the weapon too. front wheel turned hard right may have gave it a dash of added drama.

 

[rexbobcat]

Only in America.

Yes. We have guns in America. Big surprise. There are also several countries in the EU that allow citizens to have guns.

OP, it looks like you shot this mid-day with harsh sunlight coming straight down on your subject. Because of that, it looks like you had to use a lot of recovery/fill light on the first photo. Frankly, I'd reshoot in shadier conditions or closer to sundown.

I wasn't just referencing the gun. The whole image is basically what a lot of people in the UK imagine the US to be. Big truck, Sheriffs, sunglasses, old style wooden lodges, call 911, Fords, dusty roads and, oh yeah, a massive gun. The only things missing are the stars and stripes. It's also the fact he is in quite an empowering posture that, to me, seems quite arrogant. It's called a stereotype.

I know there are plenty of places that have gun laws. I'm in one. I'm saying that if a gun related portrait was taken anywhere else it would be very different, a UK style one would probably be a farmer dressed in tweed, wearing a flat cap, wielding a double-barrel shot gun with cocker spaniel or jack russel by his side. [1] [2] Get my point?

lol My vision of modern UK is a police officer with a baton and one of those tall helmets. I don't envision guns even being a thing in the UK anymore, kind of like in Canada.

But I'm still not gonna type some snarky comment that adds absolutely NOTHING to the thread, because I don't care enough to assert my prension against y'all Europeans. Maybe us down in small-town Texas are just too used to courtesy.

But on the matter of the image, I think it needs to be somewhere between those two images. One is too contrasty and the original is not enough. Maybe it would be better to take it later in the day so that the shadows are softened a bit?

 

[molested_cow]

Over here police are trying to appeal to the public as approachable neighbourhood guy you can just go and chat up with instead of being the dude you go to when you are bullied. After all, they are civil servants who are paid by the tax payers, not the baddest gang on "your" side.

 

[molested_cow]

BTW, not sure if the photo will be better if the truck door was closed. Right now, the sheriff sign is quite "in your face". It's almost like a billboard for the county sheriff. I think the photo just needs an extra bit of contrast bump, just a little, and it's great.

 

[Mot]

But I'm still not gonna type some snarky comment that adds absolutely NOTHING to the thread, because I don't care enough to assert my prension against y'all Europeans. Maybe us down in small-town Texas are just too used to courtesy.

Adds nothing to the thread? The OP didn't even ask for anything. By that token we're all wasting our time responding.

As for "snarky", are you saying my basic analysis of the image is wrong? Are you saying that the image does not support the stereotype that I described? I actually appreciate the US and enjoy Americana, I was merely making an observation about the signs and codes in the image.

 

[Granddad]

I agree with Mot, but then I'm another Brit.
I also spent a number of years in police work, here in the UK unarmed and in the colonies with guns ranging from .38 revolvers to shotguns and sterling sub machine guns (we loved having our photos taken with big guns!).... AND I lived in the USA for 10 years. It's a stereotypical image (that doesn't mean bad). I LIKE the photo but it presents an image of the police as military style heroes (and some of them are genuine heroes) which is a different concept of policing from that in the UK. The rest of Europe is different and I think the US model of policing is closer to that.
I could go on (and on) but this isn't a policing forum.

I'd say it's worth doing a whole shoot in better light with lots of variety.
I'd love to be able to ride along with that guy and "shoot" him as he goes about his work.

 

[o hey tyler]

Only in America.

Yes. We have guns in America. Big surprise. There are also several countries in the EU that allow citizens to have guns.

OP, it looks like you shot this mid-day with harsh sunlight coming straight down on your subject. Because of that, it looks like you had to use a lot of recovery/fill light on the first photo. Frankly, I'd reshoot in shadier conditions or closer to sundown.

I wasn't just referencing the gun. The whole image is basically what a lot of people in the UK imagine the US to be. Big truck, Sheriffs, sunglasses, old style wooden lodges, call 911, Fords, dusty roads and, oh yeah, a massive gun. The only things missing are the stars and stripes. It's also the fact he is in quite an empowering posture that, to me, seems quite arrogant. It's called a stereotype.

I know there are plenty of places that have gun laws. I'm in one. I'm saying that if a gun related portrait was taken anywhere else it would be very different, a UK style one would probably be a farmer dressed in tweed, wearing a flat cap, wielding a double-barrel shot gun with cocker spaniel or jack russel by his side. [1] [2] Get my point?

So you just now discovered that the US is fundamentally different than the UK in how their law enforcement is equipped? Sadly, the US Police force works mostly off of intimidation, so a unnecessarily large truck is now necessary, as well as an AR-10/15. People (not me) often take solace in the fact that the police are armed and intimidating because they feel that they'll do a better job protecting them.

It would a stereotype to see a short UK Police officer dressed in a Black Getup reminiscent of the 1940's with no firearm, only a rape whistle. Then with a sign behind him that says "NEED HALP WITH WORLD WARS. UNITED STATES, U THERE BRO?"

 

[Robin Usagani]

Even this guy carries a big as gun.

 

[manaheim]

Even this guy carries a big as gun.

All I see is a hat.

 

[Mot]

Yes. We have guns in America. Big surprise. There are also several countries in the EU that allow citizens to have guns.

OP, it looks like you shot this mid-day with harsh sunlight coming straight down on your subject. Because of that, it looks like you had to use a lot of recovery/fill light on the first photo. Frankly, I'd reshoot in shadier conditions or closer to sundown.

I wasn't just referencing the gun. The whole image is basically what a lot of people in the UK imagine the US to be. Big truck, Sheriffs, sunglasses, old style wooden lodges, call 911, Fords, dusty roads and, oh yeah, a massive gun. The only things missing are the stars and stripes. It's also the fact he is in quite an empowering posture that, to me, seems quite arrogant. It's called a stereotype.

I know there are plenty of places that have gun laws. I'm in one. I'm saying that if a gun related portrait was taken anywhere else it would be very different, a UK style one would probably be a farmer dressed in tweed, wearing a flat cap, wielding a double-barrel shot gun with cocker spaniel or jack russel by his side. [1] [2] Get my point?

So you just now discovered that the US is fundamentally different than the UK in how their law enforcement is equipped? Sadly, the US Police force works mostly off of intimidation, so a unnecessarily large truck is now necessary, as well as an AR-10/15. People (not me) often take solace in the fact that the police are armed and intimidating because they feel that they'll do a better job protecting them.

It would a stereotype to see a short UK Police officer dressed in a Black Getup reminiscent of the 1940's with no firearm, only a rape whistle. Then with a sign behind him that says "NEED HALP WITH WORLD WARS. UNITED STATES, U THERE BRO?"

I don't understand your point. Are you offended by the stereotype? I merely posted what is quite a common internet meme, "Only in America", which in actual fact was totally appropriate in the fact that the photo posted is incredibly America-centric, do you disagree? I was totally within reason to post my reading of the image; in some cases it is interesting to hear other people's opinions, especially when discussing culture. A lot of people are unaware of traits of their own culture and will often find it interesting when someone points it out.

Now I wonder whether you are simply trying to attack the British with your own stereotype. Nothing I posted should be deemed offensive or appeared derogatory, why do you feel it is necessary to belittle and potentially offend and degrade the British. Why does it also have to go back to the wars? Why are you basically calling the British weak by calling them small and incapable?

The stereotype I posted was based on everything that appeared in the original image, not something created in my head.

 

[manaheim]

I wasn't just referencing the gun. The whole image is basically what a lot of people in the UK imagine the US to be. Big truck, Sheriffs, sunglasses, old style wooden lodges, call 911, Fords, dusty roads and, oh yeah, a massive gun. The only things missing are the stars and stripes. It's also the fact he is in quite an empowering posture that, to me, seems quite arrogant. It's called a stereotype.

I know there are plenty of places that have gun laws. I'm in one. I'm saying that if a gun related portrait was taken anywhere else it would be very different, a UK style one would probably be a farmer dressed in tweed, wearing a flat cap, wielding a double-barrel shot gun with cocker spaniel or jack russel by his side. [1] [2] Get my point?

So you just now discovered that the US is fundamentally different than the UK in how their law enforcement is equipped? Sadly, the US Police force works mostly off of intimidation, so a unnecessarily large truck is now necessary, as well as an AR-10/15. People (not me) often take solace in the fact that the police are armed and intimidating because they feel that they'll do a better job protecting them.

It would a stereotype to see a short UK Police officer dressed in a Black Getup reminiscent of the 1940's with no firearm, only a rape whistle. Then with a sign behind him that says "NEED HALP WITH WORLD WARS. UNITED STATES, U THERE BRO?"

I don't understand your point. Are you offended by the stereotype? I merely posted what is quite a common internet meme, "Only in America", which in actual fact was totally appropriate in the fact that the photo posted is incredibly America-centric, do you disagree? I was totally within my rights to post my reading of the image; in some cases it is interesting to hear other people's opinions, especially when discussing culture. A lot of people are unaware of traits of their own culture and will often find it interesting when someone points it out.

Now I wonder whether you are simply trying to attack the British with your own stereotype. Nothing I posted should be deemed offensive or appeared derogatory, why do you feel it is necessary to belittle and potentially offend and degrade the British. Why does it also have to go back to the wars? Why are you basically calling the British weak by calling the small and incapable?

If it makes you feel any better, I had the same reaction and I live in the US. Granted I'm living in about this most liberal state in the Union, but...

I would say, without bias, that the image is clearly very ... strong. Law enforcement officer, can't see his eyes, armed with a large gun, imposing posture, imposing truck, SHERRIFF and such very much in your face. It's overwhelmingly authoritative. It's intimidating. The average American turning a corner to see that would stop dead in their tracks.

Whether that's a good thing or a bad thing when taken as a comment on our law enforcement is another issue.

I'm reasonably sure that the person in the picture was going for pretty much what he got. Strong. To me, personally, I find it somewhat alarming... but the truth is that there are people with different motives in every facet of life. I know one officer who has a picture of himself kneeling down in the middle of the street to help a little girl fix her pinwheel. (god I wish I had taken that picture) While this is clearly the absolute other extreme, I'd personally like to hope that this would be the favorite picture for most police officers. I know it would be mine.

 

[o hey tyler]

I was just citing a stereotype, that's all, dude.

Are you offended by stereotypes?

No, I don't find it to be particularly "America-centric." I find it to be a pretty reasonable portrayal of what type of vehicle, gear, and disposition a US Sheriff would commonly have. If he was reenacting the Rodney King incident, that would be a stereotype through and through, but he wasn't. If it were a Southern Redneck with a hunting rifle, flannel, a NASCAR hat, and a sign on his front lawn that says "Leave if you don't speak American..." THAT would be "America-centric" and much more stereotypical.

 

[Mot]

I was just citing a stereotype, that's all, dude.

Are you offended by stereotypes?

No, I don't find it to be particularly "America-centric." I find it to be a pretty reasonable portrayal of what type of vehicle, gear, and disposition a US Sheriff would commonly have. If he was reenacting the Rodney King incident, that would be a stereotype through and through, but he wasn't. If it were a Southern Redneck with a hunting rifle, flannel, a NASCAR hat, and a sign on his front lawn that says "Leave if you don't speak American..." THAT would be "America-centric" and much more stereotypical.

Okay then... mate.

Why pick a stereotype that you know can cause offence? My own choice was completely founded yet you seem to think that it is plainly a depiction of modern US policing rather than a common representation and stereotypical view of the American police force that we see over here. In reality the depiction of the sheriff is alike to your examples of a 'Redneck'; there is more than one stereotype you know.

 

[o hey tyler]

There's more than one stereotype? I wasn't aware...

 

[Granddad]

It would a stereotype to see a short UK Police officer dressed in a Black Getup reminiscent of the 1940's with no firearm, only a rape whistle. Then with a sign behind him that says "NEED HALP WITH WORLD WARS. UNITED STATES, U THERE BRO?"

If this is a stereotype where did it come from? Some stereotypes can be more offensive than others. Let's look at these:
Short UK police officer? Minimum height in most UK forces used to be 5'8" and in some forces it was 6'.
Black uniform? It's always been dark blue.
No firearm? Firearms were never needed here, with strict gun law criminals rarely carried guns, 3/4 of UK police officers back in 1975 would have resigned rather than carry firearms (based on a survey by the Police Federation). Times have changed - but I won't go into the current situation.
Only a rape(?) whistle? You're thinking of the days before personal radios, the US police didn't have personal radios either before they were invented, if you look at old US B&W movies you'll see the cop with a whistle.
Need help with world wars and calling for help? I think you need to study some history from more non biased viewpoints. The US entered WW1 in 1917 (Europe had been at war since 1914) for several reasons, one being that Germany sank the SS Lusitania, a British passenger liner with US citizens aboard and also sank a number of US merchant vessels; a second was the Zimmerman telegram in which Germany offered Mexico an alliance to attack the USA and a third was that the US had sold so many armaments to the allies on credit that they were afraid the US economy would collapse if Britain and France lost and these debts (with interest) would thus not be repayed.
As for WWII - it took Pearl Harbour to bring the US in in Dec 1941, the war in Europe started in 1939. The battle of Britain (the pivotal point in WWII where Hitler failed to destroy the Royal Air Force {a significant number of Americans served in the RAF as volunteers before the US entered the war} and was forced to give up his plans to invade Britain) was over by October 1940. Hitler then made the fatal mistake of invading Russia 6 months BEFORE Pearl Harbour.
I'm not denigrating the part the US played in either war, just pointing out some facts that don't usually make high school history classes. Both wars could (not neccesarily would) have been lost without US intervention and the world would be a VERY different place if this was the case. If the Axis powers of Germany, Italy and Japan had managed to seize control of the rest of the world I very much doubt if the USA would have survived on its own for long. The arrival of the US forces with their huge manpower and economic backing certainly made both wars shorter and ultimately saved lives but in both cases it was neccesity, not altruism that brought the USA in.