Russian Veterans

[PhotoBro]

Please discuss these photos:

1.


2.


3.


4.


5.


6.


Your critique is highly welcome.

[HalfastPhoto]

First of all, welcome to the forums.
These gentlemen seem to have seen a lot of action. makes me wonder where.
Thoes are two lovlely ladies in the last photo.

[3ddraft]

These are all great "family album" pictures and with your title, I'd say you accomplished exactly what you wanted. The only nit I have is on #1. It needs to have about half the sky cropped out since it's a solid blue. Also, clone out whatever it is behind the guy in blue. Unless you're really wanting it, having stuff growing out of people's heads is generally a bad idea. Nice shots! Having a grandfather who served in the military, I can appreciate the service that these men have put in for their country. Kudos to you for capturing them reliving their glory days.

[suci]

Reminds me of the DITL. photos, from the old Soviet Union. The red flags suggest that these are not very recent and those WWll veterans would be much older. I don't think those awards would be given for the 50's European or the 70's Afghan campaigns.
Great slice of life shots. As for veterans everywhere, I can see the pride they display from their service in that great war.

[Skipper]

Totally awesome shots -- technically and emotionally. Just goes to show -- veterans are veterans are veterans and they are a proud lot. I like the first the best. What ceremony was this?

[Russ]

I've always been amazed at the extensive "fruit salad", ie ribbons, worn by the thus immediately recognizable Russian/Soviet military and veterans. While it makes one appreciate the more austere US ribbons (although furnished also with the associated free hanging medal but rarely worn), if these guys are veterans of WWII and some of the hardest, most grueling and tragic battles in history...they deserve my respect.

[anjin_nav]

Since you pasted this in the Photo Critique, PhotoBro, I'll be a little more frank than I might elsewhere.

First, all the shots are all nice and sharp. They capture a nice slice of life. And...they're snapshots. That's not bad if that's your intent, but again, you posted them here so I assume you're looking for constructive feedback.

In #1, I assume the guy in blue is Air Force--not because of his suit, but because of the propellor coming out of his head! The salute is a poignant moment, but there's just too much sky. Crop most of it, and bring the focus back to the men and the respect they're paying. That's lost in the larger shot.

Number 2 has the two men's eyes dead center. The fellow on the right has such strong light on his head it loses detail. Had you pointed the camera slightly lower to put their eyes in the upper third, it would also have helped draw focus to their medals and aided the story.

I think number 3 starts to really show promise. You've placed them in a more dynamic pose, and the grizzled old man on the left shows the age of these brave men. Having the woman to the left, though, moves these men forward in time, and the story loses some luster.

Number 4 is much better. Sure, the sky is blown, but what is important (the men and the statues) has all the important detail. I also like that they're not posing for you. It's more like you caught them in a moment.

I wish number 5 was straight, and that you hadn't cropped his cane hand. On the other hand, this one has a strength and emotion the others lack. I can look at this man and easily imagine the sacrifice he made in comfort and time with his family. I can easily imagine the flower is for some comrade he lost, or perhaps is a "thank you" from some young lady. Either way, it's engaging. I keep returning to the shot.

Number 6 returns to the snapshots. It's a little fun this fellow is there with his grand(?) daughters, it adds flavor, but otherwise is much like all the thousands of other photos taken that day.

I hope you don't think I'm too harsh--I'm just trying to be honest in my opinions.

[StanH]

Don't be afraid to bust out the flash, even if it's of the pop-up variety, when you're in backlit situations or the subjects are wearing hats as in frames 4 and 6. The hard light would likely work very well to show all the character in the faces of these amazing guys. That said, some of the natural light ones work just great.