ON THE GROUND THE WAR WAS NOT GOING WELL

Very nice capture,congrat

Something like ideals versus reality? I think about that a lot.

 

Superb trademark Dave Meyer photo. You have to think about them, but its well worth it.

Thank you both so much for the look and leaving a comment. Take care

this is one of the photos that you have a talent to capture well to have a deep meaning. Now what meaning depends on the viewer, but I think that everyone who views this photo will see something meaningful. The meaning that I get from this photo is a symbolic representation of the fall of the country of the U.S of A. Not the land, the country - as the legal (but unlawful) entity. IMHO this photo is excellent - the DOF is just right, the framing is great, it's not cluttered, yet not too empty. I bet there is some veggie juice flowing through your veins. Cheers, Micheal

Thanks. Yes, I think this image represents quite well my impressions of modern day USA. The flag on the ground level is tattered and worn, while the one on top of the bank building is still pristine. But with bank failures, perhaps the background flag will more closely proximate the foreground one (metaphorically if not literally). It also has the little nicety of the higher level (read "higher income") is better off. I think it also quite nicely represents the bankrupt state of our government (morally and financially) as well as many of our citizens. In short, it pretty much is an excellent representation of my thoughts. Note the ever present 3/3s. I wonder if they are true reflections of artistic merit or simply political opinion.

 

BTW, I'm not happy with the DOF. It is close to right, but there should have been just a teeney bit sharper focus on the background bank sign (USA Bank) and the background flag.I knew that the foreground flag was the focus, and the background should be blurred, but I just missed the mark IMO.

Poignant and moving. Well seen and well captured. Even a good bit of angular geometry in the way you've framed the building on the left. I though about the focus before reading your comments. Probably wouldn't have criticized it without knowing your thoughts and intent. But seeing as the banking part of things was important to your message, a little more focus makes sense. I assumed the sign worked because of the red, white, and blue, and didn't realize it was a bank, which a little more focus would have given me, telling more of the story you wanted to tell. Nevertheless, your perspective and in your face approach to the ripped flag is effective and bold.

Very much American, but can well enough be compatible here, and many other places where your symbolism will works. Pity that the bank Sign is blurred, I tried to read it before to understand what is the sign/building and could not till I read your comment, well executed your idea, the difference of the two flags is impressive in its insinuation.

Thanks. Yes, by my own admission I screwed up. I took some shots with the bank sign and background flag in focus, but the foreground flag got too blurred, and it, of course is the primary object. So I had to do with what I got. I'm still fond of the results. Just aware that I could have done better.

Thanks. I knew you would find this to your liking.

The boldness of the flag presents an eye catching statement. The United States is quickly going the way of Rome. The middle and upper classes have been living on credit for too long. It looks like the days of easy living and keeping up with The Joneses is on the way out. It won't be as easy to have the greenest turf in the neighborhood.. I babble on.. A thought provoking portrait..Marjorie

This is a fantastic image! It speaks volumes in it's symbolic simplicity. I congratulate you once again!

 

Dick

Really like the compo david....the one flag in foreground used and in the shadow, one in background new and illuminated....a kind of past vs present analogy....or reality vs imagery...well this is what it suggest to me at first sight....but I always try to avoid too much symbolism anyway because it often leads to misinterpret the reality which is always more complex that symbols might suggest...a live composition I enjoy....

Impressive, David. I like the composition, depth of field, and room for thought. Some real power here.

well said!

Your only mistake was in not hiring the right art director for the shoot. Allow me to recommend someone for next time -

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/71/231118194_0d5920ebf6_m.jpg(He can take care of the catering for you as well).

I'm pretty much in tune with what you said, but I do think it is more the middle and lower classes that have been subsisting on credit, which is extended by the rich. And in this country it seems to be working well. The rich are getting richer we are told, and we can observe the poor getting poorer. The middle class will soon be a very small group. Welcome to the making of a third world nation.

Thanks. Much appreciated.

I think it is safe to go with the symbolism here. It is a pretty simple image, and I think not tremendously complicated in terms of interpretation. I'm a simple man that needs only a little bit of iconography and irony to be quite content.

Glad you found it interesting.

We're on the same page.

Thanks. But is he available? Last I heard, he was on the decline. Too much trans fat.

Beautiful scene and well seen.Great way to show the loss in a war !

 

All the bests

 

Afshin

I think you've captured well the disparity between public pronouncements and private experience. As you've pointed out elsewhere, government may not be a set of glorious ideals, but more a shared social contract upon which everyone lives their life and goes about their business. Unfortunately, there's a lot a fine print in that contract, and the dependence on credit seems to relegate many to the role of unaware serfdom. This photo makes me sad..

Thank you. Actually, there is in my mind much more symbolism here than a simple war story. We actually have done pretty well in the war against armies, but have failed sometimes to win the war for the hearts and minds of people. I understand somewhat why that has happened, and I'm not happy about it, but, at least, I think it is still fixable. The status of the U.S. and its once mightily sound economy, on the other hand, may not be fixable.

Not that I want you to be sad, but I'm pleased that the image had an emotional effect on you. You're a thoughtful person, so I would expect that from you.