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Slave
Slave
mgarsteck


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Free Study 2008-11 (Advanced Editing VII)
Camera: Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi
Location: Hanahan SC
Date: Nov 29, 2008
Aperture: 4.0
ISO: 800
Shutter: 1/5
Date Uploaded: Nov 30, 2008

 Blinded by patriotism, silenced by the government, chained by the economy.

I hope this photo does well. I dont care about the votes, just the impact it has. I have planned this photo since I was deployed in the spring and it finally has come to be, thanks to my awesome girlfriend for setting it up with me.

I made the shackles out of some metal I bought and a chain and a few bolts. The flag is a banner I bought from Walmart and the uniform is my own.

This photo represents how I feel about my own experience in the armed services. I am blinded by patriotism so that everything seems to be rainbows and awesomeness at first. Then when I see clearly I am not allowed to say anything for the government silences me, and to say anything bad about the country is obviously unpatriotic, although thats what happened at the American Revolution.
I am not able to get out of the military because I need a job to live, so I am forced to live a life of unhappiness.

Statistics
Place: 189 out of 417
Avg (all users): 5.6624
Avg (commenters): 6.5333
Avg (participants): 5.6389
Avg (non-participants): 5.7143
Views since voting: 1226
Views during voting: 274
Votes: 157
Comments: 28
Favorites: 5 (view)

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AuthorThread
 12/15/2008 09:16:02 PM
Bravo! Well done! I was able to determine your statement without reading your comments. A very artistic photo illustrating how a broken disillusioned young man would feel after witnessing otrocities & broken down promises. I applaud you!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/15/2008 06:40:09 PM
That's all I really wanted to do... Thank you much
 12/15/2008 06:29:15 PM
Irregardless, you have stones, and this is a powerful statement, adding to favorites, just so I can look at it from time to time, Well Done!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/15/2008 03:50:21 PM
Thanks for your imput and being polite. I agree with you on what you said. I am not completely innocent in the fact that I knew I was joining and did it willingly and I did raise my hand. As you may know, things change from the time you are 18 till you are almost 24. However that's no excuse I still have a contract to follow. I don't think I have ever endangered anyone as I still do my job quite well and that's what counts when it comes to bare bones numbers.

I think I will do my time and leave and try to have less of a chip on my shoulder. Be thankful first for what you have been given undeservedly and then see if you can complain a whole lot afterwards. I just felt I had to let this photo get out of my system
 12/15/2008 03:42:14 PM
I gave this image a 7, had I suspected you where serving, I would have voted less. Yes, you are as a free thinking American entitled to a opinion, but you are “not” from the time you raised your hand during indoctrination and gave a oath, until the time you are given your discharge allowed to voice it! There is a reason for that oath, and yes it supersedes even the Constitution you swore to protect. That oath that you said with your own mouth, tells everyone else who also recited the same words “I have your back” and they yours, doubt in any way brings people home in body bags.
You know, I don’t blame you, I blame recruiters, and television adds. See the world, get a college education et cetra, although if you claim to have had no clue what the military was about by 18, and still signed the paperwork, there is a lot more questions that come into play.
I served, I believed, and knew exactly what was required, and if I was still serving, I would serve the same oath.
It seems you honestly have only one choice, get out, enjoy the freedoms you and others before you sacrificed for, but get out, before you endanger yourself and or any one else around you.
I do not believe you should be insulted, spoken down to, and least of all slapped (how revolting a thought), You served, did your duty, something a hell of a lot of people can’t put on their rĂ©sumĂ©. Now it’s time to walk away with the same pride you walked in with…….
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/12/2008 01:19:36 PM
Its more of a statement about the situation actually. I'm discintent with my position and have to stay there in order to feed myself everyday.

I've had some bad experiences in the service that don't line up with how its supposed to be setup. Hypocritical supervisors that busy you for doing what they do in secret. I've been best down by supervisors while having depression to the point of attenoying suicide. Instead of helping they dig the hole deeper but when the spotlight was on them they acted all caring and concerned. I am a religious man who tries to be a decent Christian in a group of people that only want to be bring you down because of it. I expect persecution because of my faith but I don't want to willingly be placed in the middle of it. The list can go on. I work around people who sleep with each others significant others and yet they talk about following the rules and what not.

The list goes on.

Being in such a place doesn't grow productivity or any kind of virtue
 12/12/2008 01:04:02 PM
Okay, why do you feel like the Air Force has enslaved you? Please enlighten me.

For the record, I don't think you are unpatriotic and I never said you were. I think you and your picture are disrespectful to your fellow military members. That's it. I could care less if you are trying to stick it to the man and be a rebel or whatever. I just think there are better ways to go about doing it then sitting in your comfy house/apartment/condo/barracks with your awesome girlfriend and then chaining yourself up and declaring to the world that you are a slave.
12/12/2008 08:46:47 AM
Now its getting interesting.

The whole missionary position thing is dumb, yes, but it shows the inconsistencies. I'm not a guy that just shuts up and colors. I see something bad, I point it out, its that simple. Just because it happens in the military doesnt make it good.

You sir, fit under the category of the blindfold. I am a patriot, a big one, I love my country and have served two tours in the desert. Whats more harmful? Being silenced because someone might not like my photo or my oppinion? Is it someone who wouldnt bother asking why I feel such a way and just being labeled as, well, a person that deserved to be slapped? Or is it me just getting out early and not fulfilling my contract because I disagree?

Like I said, you fit under those who think that if anyone says anything bad about the military or country then they are in some way shape or form a bad person. Then people will go onto explain how this country is still better than any other country out there and blah blah blah and you are right. We have a pretty good country, I have been to other countries and seen what its like. I find it important to show flaws, get rid of the flaws, prune the dead branches and make it better.

When I joined I was 18 and just graduated high school, and yes if I didnt join I would probably working Mc Donalds. You get me wrong, you dont think I'm thankful for what I have. In all reality I am. Just because I point out something and say its bad, doesnt mean I'm not thankful.

You sir, with your close-mindedness cause more harm than I have. According to you my picture causes harm or strife because I'm unpatriotic.
I have shown my picture to a lot of Airman and they have liked it and let be up to their own interpretation. I explained why I felt that way, and they related. They didnt get upset, they didnt want to punch me in the face. You know what they saw? The saw someone who expressed his emotions and were able to relate because they go through the same things too. I was able to make something good for me and for them. Its always comforting to know someone is struggling right along side of you.
12/11/2008 10:41:47 PM
I can’t begin to explain how disappointed I was to find out that you are actually in the military. This picture was meaningless to me until I saw that someone currently serving in the military took it.

Obviously you aren’t too worried about getting in trouble over this picture as you have it on Facebook and your personal website. Are you trying to impress the DPC’ers by sounding like a rebel in your comments, but really know that there is no way you could get in trouble over this picture?

I served nine years in the Marine Corps, so I have a right to be upset with comments about your picture and some of the follow up comments you have made. I have some comments of my own for you. My friend, you need to grow up and be a man. What would you have without the Air Force? Where would you be right now? McDonald’s maybe? How about Wal-Mart working for minimum wage and still living with mommy and daddy? You can hate the Air Force for all I care, but what I do care about is the blatant disrespect you are showing your fellow military members who are currently in harm’s way. How do you think this picture would make them feel if they saw it? How do you think they would feel if they knew if was from an airman who’s mad because he has to be politically correct? Guess what? They would probably want to punch you in your blindfolded face. You, more than any civilian, should know that there are men and women who die everyday for this country because they felt called to serve the United States of America and YOU disrespect them with this picture and even more with your comments. Nobody forced you to serve in the Air Force and nobody is forcing you to stay in the Air Force. If you hate it so much then get out and go take that job at Wal-Mart for minimum wage and then you’ll see how bad the Air Force really is. Otherwise, be a man and suck it up until the economy is right for you and then you can get out and spend all day complaining about the horrible hardships you had to face while serving in the dreaded Air Force. It must be so horrible for you…

One last thing… the whole missionary position thing… that is about the dumbest example I have ever heard of concerning one’s issues with the UCMJ. The only reason that law is still in place is to add on additional charges for sex crimes. If you are going to try and make a mockery of the UCMJ at least find an example that isn’t stupid.
12/11/2008 07:47:28 PM
You make a couple of good points and I thank you for your comment

Actually what I did with this picture could get me in a whole lot of trouble with the military. I'm sure I wouldn't be sentenced to death but still wouldn't be a picnic

The more I think about this picture the more it hits me as situational thing. Not every experience in the service is bad some are really good fulfilling opportunities.

We are silenced in a way because there are only certain things we can say. We have to be politically correct on everything and I hate political correctness.

I see a bunch of things that don't line up. Like how the ucmj only allows you to have sex in the missionary position but you can sleep around as long as you aren't cheating on your wife or sleeping with your co worker. The list really goes on but the main point of the blind fold and the tape is that if I said anything bad then I'm labeled as non patriotic regardless of my point. We have to shut up and color.

The point about the economy you also brought up makes me cringe because the economy does stink and I probably won't make the same money and benefits on the outside. However I would rather be happy and poor than to be well fed and miserable because of my job. Also the benifits are not as good as they seem. Because of the military I have only been able to take two college clases in 5 years. I was unable due to many circumstances because of the military

I'm glad for what I do even if my religious views don't coincide.

12/11/2008 07:30:58 PM
You have to admit there are countries where making a statement like this while in the military in uniform (or a civilian for that matter) in picture and words will get you executed, so you are not as silenced as you may think. I voted 6 with the majority based, as I said during voting, on the composition and getting your point across, but I don't go along with your being a victim silenced by the government. You're naive possibly for the thoughts of "rainbows and awesomeness", but it looks like it is your best opportunity for making a living now and will prepare you for the civilian job market when you get out and the job market hopefully picks up. You probably wouldn't work for any company very long if you talked smack about them. At the American Revolution the colonies declared their independence from England, so there is a difference. Just my 2 cents worth, and I still feel you did a good job on the picture.
 12/08/2008 12:50:41 PM
Excellent, both in message and in delivery.
 12/08/2008 01:42:26 AM
Sorry this didn't score higher. It delivers a terrific emotional payload ... a payload some don't wish to recieve. Still, very well done, congratulations on an arresting image!
 Comments Made During the Challenge
12/07/2008 02:33:44 PM
Assuming I'm interpreting this correctly, and this a depiction of a soldier, the bondage is willful, so I'm not too sure about the title. Given that, titles aren't photos, and I like how this is depicted despite the title. Sharper focus/more DoF on the hands would have been a nice addition.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/07/2008 10:37:05 AM
Political statement? Nicely composed. It looks marginally over processed, but that fits the mood well.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/06/2008 10:11:08 PM
what an interesting concept. great texture and lighting
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/06/2008 06:14:06 PM
Very nice representation of a political statement. Post processing fits the message perfectly. Well done.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/05/2008 03:15:56 PM
A very moving and compelling image. An important story to tell. Very well presented. Thanks for taking the risk in entering this. (9)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/05/2008 09:43:32 AM
Interesting concept, but I do wish it were a bit sharper.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/05/2008 08:46:49 AM
Not so sure I get this
 12/04/2008 12:24:17 PM
This has more of a POW look.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/04/2008 01:49:15 AM
I Love Images Like This! This is art. Love the choice of subjects and the emotion behind the image,... agree or not... its time to see more images like this. 9
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/03/2008 11:41:07 PM
I find this image to be unpleasant and disturbing. But I am sure that's what you were looking to elicit.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/03/2008 05:36:32 PM
great message. in my opinion i would have done this in b&w...but that's just a personal preference. Looks a little over processed.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/02/2008 09:51:13 PM
Very well done. (not voting yet)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/01/2008 09:42:32 AM
I agree but I hope the political conservatism of most of the American voters doesn't pull this down too low. Nicely done.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/01/2008 05:21:28 AM
the edit suits this
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/01/2008 02:10:24 AM
This photo creates a good emotional reaction, which, in my opinion, is something that a good photograph should do! So congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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