Tag Archives: sculptures

Iwo Jima Memorial

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130607_IwoJima_Hands by Karl G. Graf.

From the Air Force Memorial we shot down to the Marines Memorial.  While I took several images of the overall sculpture, I felt like these two detail photos captured the feeling best for me.  The above image reflects the consolidated effort required to win the battle.  The expressions on the two soldiers faces shown below seem to project focus and determination.

130607_IwoJima_Heads by Karl G. Graf. Shadows from the high noon sun hid the details on the soldiers faces.  I used NIK Viveza and Color Efex Pro to brighten their faces while still maintaining the shadows and not blowing out the highlights in the rest of the image.  To accentuate the structure details, darken the blue sky, and keep the patina from the bronze, I first converted to black and white using NIK Silver Efex Pro.  To finish the photo, I blended the B&W version back into the color image.

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141019_Fonthill-Fall

Integrity, Service, and Excellence

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130606_Missing Man Formation by Karl G. Graf. It was high noon on a cloudless day when we visited the Air Force Memorial in Arlington, VA.  The Memorial is 270 feet high and appears to be soaring. Its array of arcs against the sky evokes a modern image of flight by jet and space vehicles. At the same time, it enshrines the past in permanent remembrance of the pioneers of flight who came before, and pays homage to those of the future.

The number three in the vertical design of the spires signifies several elements.  “Three” is resonant with significant associations for the Air Force, including the three core values of today: Integrity first, Service before self, and Excellence in all we do. It is also the smallest number of elements needed to define and enclose a space. The spires also reflect an exploding bomb burst as well as the “Missing Man” maneuvers. The spires are asymmetrical and dynamic. Each is a different height, causing the view of the Memorial to be different at every angle.

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141019_Fonthill-Fall

Lincoln

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130603_Lincoln_B&W2 by Karl G. Graf.

Last weekend Karen and I had the wonderful experience to spend time with my cousins and aunt in Washington, DC.  It was their first experience to really see the Capitol.  Being a teacher for her full career, my aunt continued to repeat that every American should have the experience to visit in person.  It really does provide a perspective of our history as well as the current affairs.  I will focus on this trip for my next several posts.

Since the first time I visited Washington almost 50 years ago, the statue of Lincoln in the Lincoln Memorial has sent chills of pride through my body.  It still does as I write this post.  The firmness of his beliefs and sternness of his resolution as well as his heavy sorrow show in his face and eyes.

I converted this image to black and white to focus on Lincoln’s face.  I applied several masks to darken the background, brighten his face, and highlight his eyes and expressions.  This is the way I perceive his statue.  Below is the image straight out of the camera for a comparison.

130603_Lincoln by Karl G. Graf.

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141019_Fonthill-Fall

Praying Mantis

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130412_Morris_Preying Mantis by Karl Graf. I am captivated by sculptures … all kinds.  This is a giant wood sculpture of a Praying Mantis in Morris Arboretum’s (Philadelphia, PA) new “Bugs” display.  I encourage anyone in the area to make a visit.

My challenge for this day’s shoot was to visualize in Black and White.  The Mantis’ warm brown wood tone against the bright blue sky with a couple of white puffy clouds provided the contrast that I was looking for.

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