Union Soldier Take Aim
by Maverick

Comment by Maverick:
Thanks for the comments and votes. Addressing the comments: The shot was taken in sepia mode, so I had very little control over the image. It's basically auto mode with a sepia filter.

re: Who are you? Matthew Brady?
Actually, I'd never heard of him until I saw this comment.

I don't really know what true sepia is supposed to look like, but I really liked the brightness and the 3-D quality of this shot. Hence, there is no post-production done other than that mentioned. I did not use any flash - the exposure is due to natural light falling through the trees. The full sized image is fairly overexposed. That's why I didn't show the ground under my uncle. The plants were far too bright. I also liked the framing, emphasizing the length of the gun, and attempting to meet the rule of thirds with my uncle.

I like the angle used. Different angles would produce different results. I don't know if it would be better, but next time I will take that into consideration = )

Finally, the image is waaay to clean, maybe cranking the ISO to 800 would have worked, but then I couldn't use the sepia mode. I would have loved to make it look older. Any suggestions as to how I can do this in-camera?

Union Soldier Take Aim
by Maverick

Comment by dmward:
This image would be much more compelling if you had taken the time -since it is a posed shot- to not have the distraction of the twigs around the soldier. Also, the framing could be tighter and the muzzle of the rifle made more prodominate. The image would also be better without the lost highlihgts on the back of the neck and shoreline behind the soldier. Sepia prints from the civil war era where much flatter than we are used to today. Perhaps a reflector could have been used. I have the sense that fill-in flash was used and this may have contributed to the over done highlights.

Union Soldier Take Aim
by Maverick

Comment by autool:
Yuo have captured many of the basic elements of photography here, Your picture tells a story and shows excellent composition. Sepia adds to the historical nature.

Union Soldier Take Aim
by Maverick

Comment by GeneralE:
I like the "old photo" look --on my moitor it looks bright -- a lot like those old stereo photos. "Feel free" to share how you dd this ifyou've time and inclination.

Union Soldier Take Aim
by Maverick

Comment by irae:
Excellent clarity. Almost too much, as it makes the period costume and sepia kind of hard to belive. Time to add some dust and scratches. {g} I'd have asked him to hack down that one long diagonal twig with his bayonette, and aimed a little lower since I can't tell if he's in the stream or next to it. One of my favorites this round nonetheless. Nice work!

Union Soldier Take Aim
by Maverick

Comment by chariot:
Too much sepia in this picture. I would have prefered if it was a subtle sepia tone.

Union Soldier Take Aim
by Maverick

Comment by jaxx:
this looks like the bayonet is coming right out the picture - great effect.

Union Soldier Take Aim
by Maverick

Comment by AnAUTiger:
THe union was lucky .... try getting on the same level or lower than your subject ... will give this a whole different look. You could even play around with the depth of field and get some interesting looks.

Union Soldier Take Aim
by Maverick

Comment by daysez:
I thought they didn't take aim? Technically ok, but not inspiring. Sepia tone is a nice touch but out of place in such a clear sharp picture, I feel.

Union Soldier Take Aim
by Maverick

Comment by MaYz:
interesting colour and subject