Gordon Swetland
December 2025 - Veteran
About the Image(s)
This image was taken at the Auburn Wa Veterans parade just a few weeks ago. Prior to the parade starting I will walk the parade route, looking for interesting subjects. I actually shot several pre-parade images. This image is of "Max" a amputee Veteran I met after I took the photo of him "unstaged"
I used my Sony A7C II with a Tamron 50-400 and focal length of 50mm
at 1/200 of a second , F9 and ISO 64
4 comments posted
I don't know why you were choosing this format for the image and I am not sure if this image would work in a PJD contest. The foreground could have been cropped out a bit, there is to much room for me and on the other hand it would have been nice to have a bit more space above the crane. This is like a 16/9 ratio in vertical, I would have left more space on both sides. That the veteran in the wheelchair is photographed from behind works well for me. Posted: 12/01/2025 01:14:01
It would work in a PJD competition as it does tell a story and is a good HI image. The lonely veteran in his wheelchair leaves the story of his travel to the viewer. The open street has good leading lines, as to where his journey will end. Your capture of the flag above the parade route adds to the story. You appear to like conversion to monochrome, and it does add to the mystique. It's a good HI image. Posted: 12/01/2025 04:34:13
@Christian yes you are very correct it was 16:9 ratio, maybe the wrong choice? And yes I can take the hit for the sizing, it was my mistake. I selected this image for this month, as it's pretty recent event I attended. I think I see a little different meaning in this image, as a combat vet myself. I went with monochromatic for the drama and the realism. After I shot the photo I spoke with the Vet who explained he lost an eye, three fingers, one leg and was badly burned, by an IED explosion. He was 20 when it happened. "Max" told me he had been on the streets, used drugs and felt nobody cared. He is currently housed and doing better. But I think monochromatic defines a future not so colorful? I am curious as to why monochromatic is not a good choice for this image and why? I appreciate everyone s feedback thanks again Posted: 12/01/2025 11:48:18
you got me wrong, mono is absolutely ok and for me better then a colour version. I understand what you are saying about your feelings. I have the same with all my photos from the indigenous land, a large story behind each image, but a judge or the people looking at your photo don't know about the story, its only the picture itself talking about. Your subject is very fine, for me it's only the format which is not working. My opinion. Posted: 12/01/2025 11:59:08