Does this say pride? - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

06/28/2003 12:37:20 AM · #1

I occassionally enter graphics contests and I just finished a rough edit of my idea and I was wondering if I could ask if this design portrays "Proud to Be an American"?

Before anyone tells me to clean up my edges yes I know I have some rough spots I just wanted to know first if this design works or not.

//www.dpchallenge.com/image.php?IMAGE_ID=26725

jimmythefish

Canon EOS-10D

06/28/2003 12:55:51 AM · #2

To be honest, I don't think it does at all. The kid looks pissed off to be an American...his face is darkened by the flag, which doesn't help.

Diversq

Canon EOS-10D

06/28/2003 01:25:56 AM · #3

I like this image but if its for comercial work I dont think it conveys pride the best it could. The childs expresion looks scared or apprehensive. I think it is overall a good graphic but not really showing me pride.

magnetic9999

Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX Aspherical DF for Canon

06/28/2003 09:05:22 AM · #4

if you wanna work with just the elements in that pic, I'd move the kid's face down and to the right a bit, not quite so centered and not quite so obscured by the flag.

inspzil

Olympus E-510

Sigma 50-500mm f/4.0-6.3 EX APO RF HSM for Olympus

06/28/2003 10:16:30 AM · #5

I'd try to have the kid looking up, like he was looking up to the flag as a symbol of our country. Take the picture from slightly below head level and have him raise his chin about an inch or two so he's looking up slightly. On the graphic I'd place him low, so that the flag goes up over his head.

edit - Upon looking at the graphic again, I think i'd drop him to the bottom right corner too, looking left of course. I agree with Mag, he's too centered in this one. I don't like the picture of the boy either. It doesn't go with the image you are trying to create IMO. Go for the emotive. He doesn't really look proud in this picture, he looks like he's scowling a bit

Message edited by author 2003-06-28 10:21:24.

casualguy

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

06/28/2003 11:24:07 AM · #6

I think it would be more appropriate to use someone a bit older. I would think the majority of children this age would have a entirely different catagory of things on their minds.

inspzil

Olympus E-510

Sigma 50-500mm f/4.0-6.3 EX APO RF HSM for Olympus

06/28/2003 11:36:58 AM · #7

Originally posted by casualguy:

I think it would be more appropriate to use someone a bit older. I would think the majority of children this age would have a entirely different catagory of things on their minds.

I disagree. I have a 6 year old who takes the pledge of allegiance very seriously. Being a Cub Scout probably enhances that. When his den got to carry in the colors before a pack meeting, they were all pretty excited about it.

I will say that some kids don't give the flag the recognition it deserves, but they are still kids and they still all have their own individual agendas. I think that the boy in the picture is a good age for that shot.

dsidwell

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

06/28/2003 12:09:22 PM · #8

Yes I agree. This is a good idea, but that child looks angry or discontent or something. The smoothness of the photo also does not go with the cartoony, bitmappy border. I don't think those elements match. But keep it up, you'll get it!

06/28/2003 04:45:48 PM · #9

Thanks everyone for your input I am going to rework it with another photo of my little boy. I wasn't happy with it and couldn't figure out why, but then I am clouded by the fact I can hear that little voice singing God Bless the USA and it works for me. But those who belong to the Graphics list that it is for wouldn't have that knowledge.

Message edited by author 2003-06-28 16:45:58.

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

06/28/2003 05:26:48 PM · #10

As a total aside: The tune for God Bless America is acutally the tune from God Bless the Queen, Great Britain's national anthem.

-Matt

jimmythefish

Canon EOS-10D

06/28/2003 05:37:46 PM · #11

No, God Bless America goes differently than God Save The Queen...

06/28/2003 05:42:35 PM · #12

Yeah. You're right. (and I even got the song name wrong too!)

What tune am I thinking of then? One of America's songs is suspiciously like God Save the Queen.

-Matt

magnetic9999

Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX Aspherical DF for Canon

06/28/2003 05:44:57 PM · #13

You must be thinking of "My country, 'tis, of thee..."

06/28/2003 05:45:31 PM · #14

Yes! That's it. Thanks Mag. Two years over here and I've already forgotten all my American patriotisms.

-Matt

Message edited by author 2003-06-28 17:49:40.

casualguy

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

06/28/2003 05:58:48 PM · #15

Originally posted by inspzil:

Originally posted by casualguy:
I think it would be more appropriate to use someone a bit older. I would think the majority of children this age would have a entirely different catagory of things on their minds.

I disagree. I have a 6 year old who takes the pledge of allegiance very seriously. Being a Cub Scout probably enhances that. When his den got to carry in the colors before a pack meeting, they were all pretty excited about it.

I will say that some kids don't give the flag the recognition it deserves, but they are still kids and they still all have their own individual agendas. I think that the boy in the picture is a good age for that shot.

I merely thought the photo would be better represented by someone who throughly understood the phrase 'Proud to Be an American'.

One of the qualities that a six year old has is that he/she probably has not developed any prejudices on there own. I guess what I mean is that when my children were at such a young age, they trusted everyone as a friend and did not generally see anyone (color, creed, etc.) to be any different then themselves. I do not believe that a six year is that much of a 'free thinker' to really understand what is meant by the phrase 'Proud to Be an American'. Further, the memorization of various pledges, etc., does not constitute the understanding of them.

Just my two cents :)

06/28/2003 08:05:26 PM · #16

Originally posted by casualguy:

Originally posted by inspzil:
Originally posted by casualguy:
I think it would be more appropriate to use someone a bit older. I would think the majority of children this age would have a entirely different catagory of things on their minds.

I disagree. I have a 6 year old who takes the pledge of allegiance very seriously. Being a Cub Scout probably enhances that. When his den got to carry in the colors before a pack meeting, they were all pretty excited about it.

I will say that some kids don't give the flag the recognition it deserves, but they are still kids and they still all have their own individual agendas. I think that the boy in the picture is a good age for that shot.

I merely thought the photo would be better represented by someone who throughly understood the phrase 'Proud to Be an American'.

One of the qualities that a six year old has is that he/she probably has not developed any prejudices on there own. I guess what I mean is that when my children were at such a young age, they trusted everyone as a friend and did not generally see anyone (color, creed, etc.) to be any different then themselves. I do not believe that a six year is that much of a 'free thinker' to really understand what is meant by the phrase 'Proud to Be an American'. Further, the memorization of various pledges, etc., does not constitute the understanding of them.

Just my two cents :)

If the child doesn't understand then it is both the school and parents fault, heck my 6 year old understands more about 9/11 than I do and he already knows some parts of the constitution.

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G DX VR

06/28/2003 08:39:46 PM · #17

That may be so, OSS, but has he been outside the United States? Has he seen how people in other countries live and developed opinions of his own on what is good and bad with his own birthplace?

Having a knowledge of history and an open, questioning, mind should be a requisite for pride. Six year olds have one, but hardly have the other. Of course as they grow older they tend to lose the one they had and gain the one they didn't.

-Matt

myqyl

Nikon D3100

06/28/2003 09:01:45 PM · #18

Here's my critique (not of subject but of the image).

It does appear a bit darker than I think you would want it. Also, if it were possible, the ribbon border seems to lack direction. If you have control over it, I'd try to make it into the classic shape of the lower 48 states. Not sure if that is even possible, but I think it would make a tremendous impact.

I disagree totally with those saying the child is too young to represent patriotism / pride.

06/28/2003 09:03:36 PM · #19

Originally posted by mbardeen:

Well according to you then I don't understand it either cause I have never been outside the United States!

Olympus 50mm f/1.8 MF Normal Zuiko

06/28/2003 09:06:37 PM · #20

Originally posted by myqyl:

Oh that is such a neat idea unfortunately I have no control over the ribbon but I might be able to do that using a different tube I have. The ribbon is pieced together, but for the most part it is a bunch of twists and turns and curls and whatnot...

emorgan49

Olympus E-5

06/28/2003 09:14:11 PM · #21

I thought he looked scared, or worried. I think it makes a powerful statement about the uncertainties of post 9/11 America. But I think that's not the message you were aiming for. I also tried to figure out if the ribbon was in the shape of anything, lower states, any state or what.

06/28/2003 09:21:10 PM · #22

Originally posted by emorgan49:

Actually you are the first person to say that, I thought as I looked at it, it reminded me of a little boy at home and the kind of image a father might get as he was in battle, remembering that he is fighting for so that little boy at home might have a better life. And yet at the same time there was just something I wasn't real fond of about the whole image and I still can't figure it out.

The ribbon really doesn't have a shape its just how the different tubes pasted together in the end.

Message edited by author 2003-06-28 21:24:57.

06/28/2003 09:32:49 PM · #23

Yes. This was about the image: You've used two of your challenge images and layered them together. This is a nice reuse of material. However, for me the image doesn't necessarily represent pride. The american flag is an appopriate enough symbol, but the inclusion of the child is dubious. I'm not exactly sure what you were trying to tell me with his image. Was it that you feel a mother's pride for your nation? Or was it that you feel proud that your child will grow up in America? A simple distinct image will get your message across so much more effectively. Perhaps you should think about what message you want to portray and envision the simplest way to show it

As for my previous statement, I let it stand. You are welcome to interpret it anyway you see fit.
-Matt