washington, dc area Here We Mark the Price of Freedom

I think that I'm going to be mixing some DC photos in with the Arizona stuff. I have been asked to come up with an image for someone's office ... an image including stuff from the WWII Memorial and the Texas column. I have a few ideas, and am still trying to figure out what I want to do. As a result, I'm going to be spending quite some time playing with my camera around that monument. You'll get to see some what I get from those shoots.

 

I think that one of the best parts of the WWII Memorial is the field of stars, representing those Americans who gave their lives during WWII to protect your freedom and mine.

 

Your thoughts on this image?

I tried it in B&W, too. What do you think?

Any comments or ratings are appreciated!

I think the color version looks much better than the black and white. Your unique composition works very well to illustrate this memorial and what it represents. Well-done! -Michael

I slightly prefer the B&W version: more powerful and dramatic imho. Nice idea and composition indeed. Regards!

Hi Lou Ann, I guess I'm really a B+W guy.......We've been to Washington, maybe 20years ago, this wasn't built yet......When we were there the Vietnam Memorial was a most solemn place (as it well should be) I have ever been to.....I would love to go back maybe next spring........Jim

Very nice, my dear! This time better color!...Ciaomau!

I like the B&W better, but let me give you a third option to try out. I took your color image and resized it to 700 pixels and then I layered your color and b&w images together in various manners. I found three that worked well, but I was very pleased with one of them in particular. See what I came up with below.

 

THAT is absolutely FABULOUS, Shawn!!! I simply LOVE it. It's a creative rendering, without losing the sombre aspect of the memorial. Thanks for taking the time!!! (I hope you enjoyed the work!)

This is the first time that I have layered a color and b&w image together like this and I was thrilled with the results. I will be trying this out with some of my own photos in the future.

I'll look forward to seeing it, Shawn!!

I like your color original and I like the blended version that Shawn worked up. I like your down-low POV, but I don't care at all for the tilted composition. It is probably just me, but I lean my head instinctively to properly orient the photograph. But what the heck, its not my photograph. Cheers! Chris

You know, Chris - I have to say that I don't tend to like (or even think of taking) tilted shots like this. But I was kneeling down trying to really feature the word "Freedom" prominently while still capturing the fountain and the "Pacific" amphitheater. It all seemed to fit in the frame thi sway, with "FREEDOM" really drawing the attention I was looking for.......

Fair 'nuff! Carry on! ;>) Cheers! Chris

When I first saw this image I too questioned the tilting. It worked with the slide in Ruby, but why use it here, I pondered? Then I saw the word FREEDOM coming at me from the perspective and I understood. I too say, "Carry on!"

You guys are so good to me! Thanks to everyone for the honest input on this shot. I really wasn't sure how it would go over.

Quite well taken. I like your creative perspective.