SS Officer

fidgety · 09-27-2009, 05:03 PM

I was shooting a World War II reenactment this afternoon for an assignment and was walking through the campsites and came across this reenactor dressed as a SS officer and he was playing the accordian. I walked up to him to get some snaps and just as I did a small sliver of light came through the trees and fell on his face. He looked down and away from me and that's when I fired. I thought it was a strange combination to have an SS officer playing the accordian as I wouldn't think that is something that would have been seen in public during the war.

AgingEyes · 09-27-2009, 05:44 PM

I think you could brighten up the accordian somewhat since it seems to be part of the story but, at least on my monitor, it's too dark to be distinguishable.

**Greg McCary** · 09-27-2009, 05:49 PM

I like it, well done. I agree the accordian could be brightened a little but either way it is a nice portrait.

jetrim · 09-27-2009, 05:53 PM

Very lucky catch with that lighting, looks like studio work. The accordion may be just a touch dark, but I think this one works as is.

fidgety · 09-27-2009, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jetrim

Very lucky catch with that lighting, looks like studio work. The accordion may be just a touch dark, but I think this one works as is.

Thanks much. I think lightening up the accordian would take the viewer's eye away from the soliders face, which is supposed to show boredon, melancholy, tiredness and loneliness, which I think this actor portrayed wonderfully.

Tuna · 09-27-2009, 07:53 PM

Very nice - brightening the accordian would help but not too light as it currently has a vintage vignetting feel that matches the subject or time period.

AgingEyes · 09-27-2009, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fidgety

I think lightening up the accordian would take the viewer's eye away from the soliders face,

But then, as is, if you didn't mention the accordian, the viewer may not know about it.

The trick is to make one brighter than the other, not as bright as each other.

PrevailingConditions · 09-27-2009, 09:17 PM

I'm not sure how much the accordion adds to the overall shot. The lighting and composition look great to me. His expression feels more like a thoughtful recollection of something he misses.

Nicely done.

PC

**Grandpaw** · 09-28-2009, 05:26 AM

At first I though it needed to be a little lighter, but the more I look at it the more I think it is great just like you have it, Jeff

fidgety · 09-28-2009, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grandpaw

At first I though it needed to be a little lighter, but the more I look at it the more I think it is great just like you have it, Jeff

Thanks, that's very much appreciated.

snoid · 09-28-2009, 10:14 AM

Fantastic portrait!
Do lighten up the accordian....just enough to tell that's what it is.

readingr · 09-28-2009, 12:03 PM

Keep it as is for me - what a terrific portrait.

Roger R.

cm_mtb · 09-28-2009, 12:40 PM

Excellent portrait. I like the man's expression, and the lighting is just great. I say keep it as is.

Overbeyond · 09-29-2009, 01:29 AM

Excellent indeed and I feel the exposure on the accordian just about gets by.
This is the first time I have seen a German military man with a pipe and without some smoke and evidence that it is alight, it looks too like a prop that somebody has just placed in his mouth.
Maybe I have been watching the wrong movies.

Don Schaeffer · 09-29-2009, 11:37 AM

Great photo technically (small nits aside). But he is too well dressed to be tired and melancholy.

draymorton · 10-01-2009, 09:02 PM

Holy crap, how did I miss this?

Fantastic job.

icicle · 10-01-2009, 10:10 PM

I also think it is perfect.

PhoebeG · 10-02-2009, 03:59 AM

Great image. I have looked at it several times and have hard time convincing myself that its not period.

Phil G.

draymorton · 10-02-2009, 04:50 AM

I think this one should be a Sticky.

I'd also like to know more about the processing.

fidgety · 10-02-2009, 05:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by draymorton

I think this one should be a Sticky.

I'd also like to know more about the processing.

Thanks. There really wasn't any processing on this one. I shot with a Canon 50D set at monochrome and a Canon 24-70 2.8L. I spot metered on his face as I didn't want to have a properly exposed uniform and a blown out face. I resized in PS to 72 dpi at 800 pixels high and that's about it.

twolfe9586 · 10-03-2009, 01:21 AM

Looks great, I think the accordion is a bit dark, I didn't even realize what it was at first. Great shot. How did you find the costume/suit?

fidgety · 10-03-2009, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twolfe9586

Looks great, I think the accordion is a bit dark, I didn't even realize what it was at first. Great shot. How did you find the costume/suit?

Thanks for the critique. He was actually a reenactor for a World War II exhbition that is put on every year in our city. They are very authentic about their clothing and gear.

**Frog** · 10-03-2009, 10:52 AM

Nice stuff, fidgety! I can see both sides of lightening the accordian. If you do try it, I would only do it a little bit.

**gahspidy** · 10-05-2009, 12:08 PM

Perfect moment and lighting. Excellent portrait. i like the shadow of the pipe on his coat. I agree with lighting the accordian up a bit, but just a bit. It could stay just as it is really.
Great shot, and well done to be ready with focus and exposure when the time was right.

writer45 · 10-06-2009, 08:09 PM

I really love this very authentic. I have facination with both WW2 and and black and white..well done.

John

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