Memorial for one of the fallen

[pafindr]

70-300mm @ 70mm
f6.3
ISO 200
1/640th sec

[GB1]

Hector -

Interesting scene, pretty well captured. The background is not as interesting as the subject matter though; I think by either using a longer (max if zoom) focal length and shooting wide open (which I think you already did here) may blur it even more. Also, perhaps a flower or Army cap sitting there on the gravestone. A lot of ops here

G

[pafindr]

Funny you mention a flower because there is one in the right boot (the viewers right) but it was in there for awhile. You can make out the stem if you look carefully. I tried to frame the shot so you can't see it very well.

Do you think that putting a flower, like a Lilly, one the right and letting it hang down towards the plaque improve the image?

Do you think using a 50mm lens and opening up the aperture to about 2.8 or 4 make the background better?

[tareatingrat]

I'd say get closer in and open up to blur out the background as well.

Might even be interesting taking a shot looking up at the memorial.

[GB1]

I think those ideas are worth a try. The flower (or what's left of it) is too obscure; I would get some new ones and lay them out in various patterns, etc. & see what you get. Wide angle might be better here btw, or even a telephoto if you have one.

G

[pafindr]

You know sometimes I really don't like people.
I a pretty easy going person but every now and then I can get pretty upset with the stupid things people do.
The brass rifle and helmet that are in the picture were stolen by vandals. Being that it was put there for one of the fallen soldiers from our small town really bugs me.
The jerks that took it probably took it so they can pretend to have an M16.