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In the belly of the beast


In the belly of the beast
Photo Information
Copyright: Christian Deichert (cldphoto) Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 21 W: 0 N: 47] (144)
Genre: People
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-10-23
Categories: Daily Life
Camera: Canon PowerShot S70, Canon Zoom Lens 5.8-20.7mm f/2.8-5.3
Exposure: f/3.5, 3 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2006-05-24 9:44
Viewed: 2071
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 14
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
During my deployment, I had to go to where the cases were; the work never came to me. Whenever I had to travel around theater, it was always via USAF cargo planes. Many times I had the plane to myself, but this time I had plenty of company.

Although the city for this photo is listed as Balad, that was our point of origin and not our actual location when I took the shot. Military transport aircraft do not have the "you are here" display that so many commercial flights offer on the in-seat screens (just one of many in-flight amenities the Air Force skimps on), so the only way to tell where you are is by the interior lighting. Red = bad place, so here, we hadn't left Iraq.

The thing I found very interesting about this shot is the expressions of the troops in the background. Most of the troops were asleep, but those who were awake didn't seem to be very happy, given that we were leaving Iraq. Whenever I look at this photo, I always wonder what is going through their minds.

No tripod was used in this shot, but as you can see I didn't have an arm rest to balance the camera for this 3-second photo. I actually took this shot by resting my M-16 rifle on the floor of the aircraft and put the camera on the front sight post. I took several photos trying to get the feel of the atmosphere inside the plane, but this is one of the few that did not come back with motion blur.
s10001in, Vagabond, anew, kmarscher, mpr, MLINES, eladen, Mondaychild, virginia, sartemisa, manub, Jimbo-oz has marked this note useful
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ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To anew: It's really that red in there.cldphoto 2 05-24 12:16
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Critiques [Translate]

Christian Deichert ,
Just amazing effects.

very well done.

Great note & composition.

TFS,
Shailendra

Hi Christian

Very nice picture of a place where few photographers can shoot.
I like the red colour and the lines, which add a graphical note to a a quite dramatic scene.
Best way of using a M-16 rifle...
Thanks for sharing !

Julien

  • Great 
  • anew Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 234 W: 71 N: 96] (568)
  • [2006-05-24 10:20]
  • [+]

Amazing shot this. Is it really so red in there? And if so, why...
Sorry, just displaying my ignorance here about military planes. I just feel this picture is too red. Apart from that, Great shot.

  • Great 
  • euryan Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1109 W: 121 N: 1769] (7774)
  • [2006-05-24 16:14]

I thought you were always supposed to keep your rifles "muzzle down" in an aircraft? J/K. This is a really interesting shot Christian. It is remarkably sharp for a three second exposure without a tripod, even if you were using your rifle for stability. I think the red lighting gives this photo a special mood, looks like a scene from a sci-fi movie. Great capture!
Regards,
Ryan
P.S. Here's what I think might be running through some of their minds.
1. Gee, what am I going to do now?
2. Yes, I'm finally leaving! But I'll be back here in about 6 months, CRAP!
3. Yes, we made it! I just hope we don't crash now that we are finally leaving.

Amazing shot! My heart goes out to the troops on board and, you. It is an image I find truly remarkable. Extremely well done for hand held. The minimal lighting, vibrations of the cargo plane, and duress of the moment as evidenced by the red warning lights speak volumes of your make-do technique.

  • Great 
  • mpr Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 86 W: 1 N: 36] (327)
  • [2006-06-06 21:24]

Christian

Thank you for such a interesting look into this world. I can't imagine what could be going through everyone's minds, but like you I wonder as well. I hope the troops know that they are supported very much and their safe return is in everyone's minds. Nice framing and composition. Thanks agian for sharing.

Mike

First of all, not many people have to possiblity to see that - so thanks for sharing this view with us.

The photo looks rather infernal - with this aggressive red color and all those lights.
Also I like the details (the sleeping men in the left, the one who looks to the ground,...)

You catched the emotions!

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