PotD: 2010.11.11
Date Taken: 2010.07.04
Photo Specs: Nikon D700 + 28-70/2.8 lens @ 70mm, 1/3,200 sec, f/4, ISO 200
Lighting Specs: Ambient light – hard sunlight
Why it’s cool & how I got it: This is a simple snapshot taken during the Chester,CA (Lake Almanor) 4th of July parade this summer. We go every year and stay at our family cabin on the lake – and do our best to make it to the parade and festival. It’s a fun, small-town affair – you know it’s not a city parade when a huge logging truck rolls by, decorated with ribbons and blasting its horns. This particular shot is neat because it shows my cute little 4yo daughter Emma looking on at the Veterans marching in the parade. The focus is on Emma, but the out-of-focus Veterans and American flag play a big part of the composition. The blue and red in Emma’s dress, as well as the strong blue sky, blue uniforms, and cool-hued pavement all work together to unite the image and strengthen its impact. Your eye starts at Emma’s head, then directs to where she’s looking: the flag, then to the Veterans, down to the ground, to Emma’s feet and back up to her head again. There’s no elements in the composition that lead the eye astray or off the image, and you can’t help but wonder what’s going on inside Emma’s head. Is she wondering who those guys wearing funny uniforms and carrying the American flag are? Or is she just wondering if they’ll throw candy like the other people in the parade? I’ll never tell.
