Commemoration Photo

Photographer’s Note

25 FEBRUARY 2005, MARTIN PLACE, SYDNEY

A detachment of the Royal Australian Navy band stands to attention lit by a sliver of sunlight down the corridor of buildings that line Martin Place in the centre of Sydney.

Their presence, along with several senior members of the defence force, foreign dignatories from the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the United States and members of the general public, was to commemorate the anniversary of the Battle of the Java Sea which took place north of Australia in February 1942.

I wanted to emphasise the ray of sunlight to put up a barrier between the ceremony and myself-- I didn't venture much closer than this out of respect and you can see the audience on the other side pressed against the wall. Also, it was really hot that day so I wanted to stay in the shade too :)

I believe this occasion is also my 100th photo posting on TE; thank you all for teaching me much about this noble craft and our world.

----
35mm ; XP2 rated EI200

Rinie_Hoff, LEA has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

tongapup (1574) 2005-04-01 23:31

Why doesn't this have points yet? It's classic, brilliant! Call me crazy but I would like it even a bit darker, but I think that's probably just my personal taste. Gosh that's good with the ray of light and the uniforms and their shadows, so graphical but still so slice-o-lifey. It kinda reminds me of Robert Frank's America for some reason. Even though it's guys in uniform and harsh lighting, it's not at all threatening; in fact it's 1950s small-townish. I'm still trying to figure out why that should be. Because it's their rumpled backs? Because you can see the spectators? Dunno but a damn fine 100th posting.

Luko (13904) 2005-04-02 6:58

I'm so pissed off for you : 2 points only at this time of the day although this is IMHO at the level of your very best!

That's a GREAT shot Mike for your 100th posting with both a fine use of space, a bit like Gringofil most recent post and amazing work on the shadows.

It's not very far from my favs, it would just need a small prop at the narrowest end of the light "funnel" to make me click the "add favorite" link... (a dog watching the scene?).

flydragon (0) 2005-04-02 7:20

Hello Mike
nice 100th photo ;o)
i like this raye of light
hope to see the 200th ,o)
have a nice wk
••simon••

gringofil (0) 2005-04-02 8:27

I have to agree: this is one of your best, Mike. The light fills the frame just perfectly and the specks of human shapes and forms in the background top off the composition. I also like the fact that these guys are looking away from us, because the triangle of light brings us into the frame and than out eyes follow the backs of these men until we hit the edge of the frame and wonder: what's next? A good image should also keep us guessing, not tell all its secrets at once.

Wonderful work, Mike.

Darren (6819) 2005-04-02 10:10

Pretty cool use of light here Mike. I like all the negative space in this shot and how the subjects are all crowded into the top left. For me, I would consider burning down those who are visible in the crowd, as they don't add much for me. Good exposure on the white unis.

Rinie_Hoff (9334) 2005-04-03 5:25

Hi Mike, what an impressive shot, with that triangle of light, and the shadows, which fits perfectly your note. The diagonals of the men's shadow give it such a strength.
Very fine and honest shot for this commemoration.
And congratulations with your 100th.

clodreno (0) 2005-04-04 10:40

WoaHHHH, Such a nice image. i don't know when you uploaded it, but this is good. Not that I am fond of soldiers, even though those one are forom the Navy, so a bit better.. The light is very well mastered here. This is one of your best..

LEA (4823) 2005-07-01 11:48

Black and white was the right choice for this nice picture. Good job.
Thnaks for sharing