The Faces of Anzac Day 2011

[biggerry]

Anzac Day is great day that never ceases to amaze me and fills me with a immense sense of respect for those left surviving from some of the crazy conflicts over the years.

As it has for a number of years, the rain came down repeatedly but was not too heavy to deter most supporters and marchers, there were certainly less photographers out this year compared with last (from my POV).

My aim for the day was to get a series of portrait style shots to use for a little project that I am working on, the following are a couple that jumped out at me, critique more than welcome and also alternate PP suggestions welcome.

(5 images here, no point in thread spamming for that one extra picture )

[Raskill]

Fantastic shots! All of them.

[Remorhaz]

They are all fantastic images, for me the last is probably the weakest but they are all still great. Looks like you had very nice (overcast) light for this.

If I had to pick one it might be the first or your POTW (congrats ) - and since they are all such outstanding and evocative images, for me if you posted the more I'd be happy to see them.

A little query - were these taken with the 300/4?

[surenj]

#2 is classic. The expression, framing and softlight etc creates a sombre yet uplifting mood!

I can only see a few suggestions for improvement if any
#3 The face on the upper left could be cloned
#4 Little bit on the dark side so it's hard to see the third person in shadow.
#5 Maybe a little cropping from the right?

Great light on these and I remember the light was the same last year!

[aim54x]

Damn you and your 300mm!!! Excellent shots Gerry!

[surenj]

Excellent shots Gerry!

Speaking of which, I reckon with your recent form (and previous form), you could open an exhibition of the likes. I reckon you'd have enough for a Anzac day exhibition!! or Macro....or Landscape...

[surenj]

Also consider cropping the boy image from the top a little.

[sirhc55]

These are excellent Gerry - can’t wait for next year

[gstark]

Gerry,

Great images; great use of Depth of Field.

I love the second, and I also think that the fourth of these is very strong; there's a story in this image that just screams ANZAC. That has to be my favourite.

From a very stormy Memphis ....

[dervish16]

Love these shots Gerry. I like # 1 and 2 the most.

[Mal]

Love them all, but favourites would have to be 2 and 3. As mentioned would love to know the story behind number 2 and would love to listen to the stories from number 3.

Many, many years ago I spent some time at the War Vets hospital in Sydney, I just loved sitting with the old men and listening to their stories, wished I was into photography back then!

Again, great photos would love to see more!!!!

[Geoff]

Gerry - you're series is fantastic.
Love them.
I also agree that the last image is the weakest, but in a series so strong that should be water off a duck's back! Well done.

[radar]

Great series Gerry, well done, also love the way you used the DOF.

[Elver]

Yes, fantastic series representing young and old, men and women paying their respects. Well done, Gerry.

[colin_12]

I also like your use of depth in these Gerry

[biggerry]

A little query - were these taken with the 300/4?

Damn you and your 300mm!!! Excellent shots Gerry!

yep, all taken with the 300mm afs f/4, this lens has contrast and sharpness only second to my 105mm f/2.5, its a real pleasure to use.

Looks like you had very nice (overcast) light for this.

yep, as it was last year, cloudy and raining, makes for some very nice soft diffused light - the worlds biggest softbox

#2 is classic. The expression, framing and softlight etc creates a sombre yet uplifting mood!
I can only see a few suggestions for improvement if any
#3 The face on the upper left could be cloned
#4 Little bit on the dark side so it's hard to see the third person in shadow.
#5 Maybe a little cropping from the right?
Great light on these and I remember the light was the same last year!

thanks suren, all good suggestions and have made it into the second round of edits

These are excellent Gerry - can’t wait for next year

Its always a pleasure and humbling experience to see the marches and with some luck I will be there again next year - thanks Chris.

the fourth of these is very strong; there's a story in this image that just screams ANZAC. That has to be my favourite.

truth be know I also really like this shot, I think it could also work in BW, it gives a real sense of young servicemen heading off or coming home from some tour.

Many, many years ago I spent some time at the War Vets hospital in Sydney, I just loved sitting with the old men and listening to their stories, wished I was into photography back then!

that would have been a great experience and privilage!

if you posted the more I'd be happy to see them

Again, great photos would love to see more!!!!

I have about 200 decent ones from the day all of similiar style, I will try and sort thru a few more and see what jumps out at me


Cheers to everyone for the feedback.

[Matt. K]

Gerry
You are becoming a very skilled photographer. These images are superb! The last is the weakest and would have been better if he had turned his face to the camera. Bloody good job!

[biggerry]

Gerry
You are becoming a very skilled photographer. These images are superb! The last is the weakest and would have been better if he had turned his face to the camera. Bloody good job!

Cheers Matt

[biggerry]

If you want to see more, I have generated a quick gallery of all the images from the day - there are quite a few there, nearly 200 so be prepared.

Gerrys' Anzac Day 2011