Welcome Home From Vietnam

Critiques [Translate]

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• walk33a (1390)
• [2009-10-05 18:45]
• [+]

Hi Joe!

This is a great composition and recognition of our vets. I have a friend; you may know him or of him. Max Cleland is his name. He was Senator of Georgia. We are friends, but not on a political basis. He lost both legs and his right arm in Vietnam...friendly fire. Freedom isn't free, is it?

TFS
Dennis

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• ddupre2 (2744)
• [2009-10-05 20:03]
• [+]

thanks Joe for sharing this touching tribute

dd, ile de la Réunion

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• ScottHale (136)
• [2009-10-06 1:01]
• [+]

Joe,
Wow, This composite makes a strong impact. Since this is a global site, many will not know the impact of the Vietnam War. Actually many people might even know about it from another point of view entirely. It's not the war that I wish to comment on, though. I believe that this is a stiring image that so many of the boys of war could have sent home to their loved ones.
Tech aspects:
I like the way that you've tilted the photograph to straighten the prostetic leg. The amount of grain adds to the age, perhaps gives it those two years back! I think the way you added the test to give an optimistic point of view is wonderful. Better off making it home than not at all, even if in pieces.
I think this very effective composite work Joe, keep up the good work, my friend.

I stand, in full salute, sir.

Scott

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• jimmyjimmy (972)
• [2009-10-06 6:35]
• [+]

Hey Papajoe

A very telling tale of the horrors of war. I am often in amazement at the repeated efforts of man killing each other. The spoils of war are often what your friend was able to take home, an artificial leg! often at the expense of political decisions that destroy human life. I am not a pacifist. Just question the insanity that will ultimately destroy us all in the name of Honor, Country, and God. May God rescue us soon.
Thanks Papajoe for a very thought provoking image. Sorry I was on a rant.

Regards
Jimmy

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• Leica (2123)
• [2009-10-06 9:19]
• [+]

What should we comment on here?

The photo? - It's grainy, not well composed nor exposed. You just don't shoot at iso 100 film in this type of light environment especially with an orange filter. That was a bad decision to begin with.

The scan? - With an iso 100 and the size posted, it shouldn’t be that grainy.

The message? - The touch of irony is cheesy and inappropriate. We rarely write white on black especially in those years. If you were trying to imitate real hand writing, you failed.

The graphic design work? It's not working for me at all. I'm not a big fan of collages. You just can’t improvise your self as a graphic designer. They are rules and notion involved in graphic art. And if one thinks of enhancing a bad photo by placing distracting elements and frames and around it, you better think twice.

Over all... I think I said enough.

Cheers!

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• mistic (2640)
• [2009-10-06 9:40]
• [+]

i try in english only for you

it's a amazing shoot with a big force impact
now it's freedom but i now that vietnam a emotional time is for the american peaple
but nice tribute to al the soldiers

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• Kilted-Arab (9477)
• [2009-10-07 20:14]
• [+]

A little piece of history here, Joe - a fascinating posting for TL. The composition, the tilt, the noise and the writing all enhance the feel of this shot - it is well taken and well presented and shows a lot of thought and attention. Very good, I appreciate this one very much.

I disagree with Leica, despite admiring his obvious talent. There is real history and atmosphere around this one, in my opinion.

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• ErikSven (2299)
• [2009-10-08 4:55]
• [+]

Hello Joe,

I've already come back several times to this photo since you posted it, but it took me some time to make up my mind. After some thinking (and after having read the comments posted so far, I humbly admit ;o)), I've come to conclusions. Here they are:

One the one hand, I think the photo itself is overburdened by the PP-work you did. To me, a simple white or black frame without text, combined with a striking photo title, would have largely sufficed and even would have enhanced the drama. I indeed think the shot is suggestive enough on its own to strongly convey the message. No words can express this better, execept for the title. My title suggestion: "Coming home soon from Vietnam, dear Mom and Dad".

On the other hand, I think the composition of your photo is very effective: showing plainly what happened, without trying to embellish reality or without expressing any opinion. The photographer as an observer. But precisely this "objective" observation makes this image so poignant. The colours are not optimal, indeed, but in this case, they underline that this photo belongs to former (but not forgotten!) times. A true document of human suffering.

Just my personal opinion, of course. Feel free to (dis)agree ;o).

TFS & kind regards,
Erik