Star Spangled Banner

[DEAN01]

Going through some older files and found this shot. High ISO and tight crop make it noisy. C&C please.

[Shadowman]

Nice action capture.

[Donald]

High ISO and tight crop make it noisy.

I don't think it's too bad at all and ... it's a beauty of an image. Captures the energy and excitement of the event and the colours all work so well together.

[Manfred M]

Dean - I'll have to go with Donald on this one. It's a great shot; you've captured the essence of the event really well.

Tight crop; I think you might have gone a touch tighter (especially at the top) without losing anything and possibly gaining a bit more focus on the action.

The noise; not an issue. Noise can add to some images by portraying a bit more of a gritty look; film photographers would often use a grainy film for action and sports shots for the very same reason. It does not hurt this shot at all and in my view actually enhances it.

[bnnrcn]

+1 to Donald's comment

[rpcrowe]

Great image. Excellent timing of the shot with the horses and riders in perfect position.



I played with this image a bit I added some noise reduction with NIK Dfine (which is usually better when used as the first tool in a workflow), I increased the structure globally by 50% and then selected the U.S. Flag and increased the contrast a bit. Finally, I cropped this as a square. I love the tilt of the flag staffs which portrays motion...

Looking at the image now, I think I should have selected the man at the top the stand holding his child and reduced the brightness a bit.

Texas flags are following the American Flag. I suspect that you see more state flags in Texas than you do in many other states. IMO, that is because Texans are very proud of the fact that their state was an independent nation before it joined the U.S.A. and the The Lone Star Flag was the flag of the Republic of Texas.

BTW: I am eligible for membership in "The Sons of the Republic of Texas". My eligibility stems from my ancestors having settled in Texas while it was a province of Mexico and being there and fighting throughout the Texas Revolution. In fact my 3rd great Uncle, Timothy Hart (born in New York of Irish parents) signed the Texas Declaration of Independence at Goliad.

[dje]

Great shot Dean, nice work.

Dave

[DEAN01]

Thanks for your comments Manfred, Binnur, and Dave.

Richard I really appreciate you taking the time to work with the photo.

[IzzieK]

I reckon Texans are the most patriotic people in the US, along with the people of Wyoming...I love patriotic shots like this one Dean...there is something about standing for the flag, singing the national anthem with hand in heart that is so endearing. In this shot, the ambiance of the place of events shows true character and charm. If Texas is not a part of the US like before, I'd move there in a heartbeat.