This is not Afghanistan, a photo from Sao Vicente, Barlavento

Photographer's Note

I'm not sure why NATO chose Cape Verde for the playground of the big military exercise nicknamed Steadfast Jaguar 2006. Maybe one of the reasons it's because the terrain has some areas similar to Iraq or Afghanistan (with the bonus of great opportunities for relax ;-). The exercises included training for evacuation of civilian populations (like after an eruption of the Fogo Island volcano) and the attack to a supposed terrorist base (which was simulated in São Vicente Island, with an amphibious landing on Flamengo beach).
In this picture they are training something somewhere between Baía das Gatas (workshop) and Praia do Norte. I didn't dare to a closer approach, as one never knows when a gun may shoot by accident (anyway, the troops were very polite with the local population).

edal, manatee, riclopes, gunbud, banyanman, Amaz has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

edal (6804) 2007-05-28 23:48

Ola Francisco!
Do not get angry at me, but I'm totally opposed to solders traning to invade other countries and peoples... As for the shot - it is somewahat surrealistic, but clearly shows what is the result of millitary affairs - a bunch of people taking pride in a barren land...
As a photografic achievement - spectacular!
Compliments!
Anton

manatee (4668) 2007-05-29 0:00 [Comment]

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riclopes (35577) 2007-05-29 3:07

Olá Francisco,
5 links - acho que está na média :))
Militares a fazer exercícios na lua. Bem giro ver as silhuetas daqueles bonecos contra o céu. Faz-me lembrar aqueles jogos com os bonequinhos de plástico quando era puto...
Gosto muito do WS, pelo jogo das manchas claro-escuro na paisagem e da silhueta do helicóptero. Até parece que foste um espião que andou a fiscalizar as operações deles ;-)
Bom dia para ti,
ricardo

touristdidi (8583) 2007-05-30 22:57 [Comment]

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stego (24132) 2007-06-05 12:08

Olá Francisco,
Já a tinha visto antes, mas nunca tinha reparado como o pov é tão interessante, com aquele Z suave e alongado do horizonte, as silhuetas dos soldados e o solo desértico. Interessante, esta tua série dos soldados em S.Vicente.

christor (271) 2007-08-21 9:41

It is like a scene from a film...very subtle earth colors yet rugged terrain with the line of soldiers and their nearby vehicles adding some real impact. One almost feels both alarmed and fascinated at once. Nothing but praise for this one, Francisco. Nice use of perspective too.

banyanman (7797) 2007-10-13 1:44

Interesting photograph and note, Francisco. I didn't realise that Cape Verde was so arid. As far as the composition is concerned, I would have included much less sky and more of the foreground - that would have given this shot a lot more impact.

Cheers . . . David

Amaz (11475) 2009-07-09 4:49

Boa captura, Francisco!!!
Interessante esta paisagem!!
Boa nota sobre o local este!

Parabéns mil,

Abraço.