To avoid hijacking another thread, it was recommended that I start a different thread so that we could share some of the really neat photos that we've taken over the years.

Really quick, I'm a digital photographer working for the government at an Army base. It's the 10th Mountain Division, located at Fort Drum, NY. It's also the most deployed division in the United States Army, and has been involved in every major deployment since the 80's, and even some minor ones that didn't really make the national or world news. I was stationed there for 5 long years while I was active Army. My job is to "document the Divisions history", but it entails more than just that (all other duties as assigned....those who served know what I mean ). I'll post a picture every now and again, some of my better shots, or just different shots. It'll be a lot of military stuff, so if you're prior service you might get a kick out of them. While the photos are digital, there are NO alterations to them, aside from color corrections and taking out dust/dirt/water spots on my lens.

Feel free to comment about them, or ask questions about them. I'll be glad to chat about any of the photos I took.

This first one here I just love! It's of some 10th Mountian soldiers who were deploying in support of the war on terrorism just after 9/11. These guys were some of the VERY FIRST troops to be deployed from the division.

Again, no digital adjustments made to this, although when I saved it for the web, it was considerably darker than the original.

I have some technical questions, if I may.

• When I download the image and open it I get a "Color profile mismatch" error which I've never seen before. Any ideas what that's about?
• It's an excellent image for only 93KB - did you do anything in particular to get it to that size?
• There's something odd about the way the camoflage comes out if you boost the gamma. Any comments on that?
• What did you use to remove the blemishes from the photos? Photoshop?

Thanks for posting the pic(s).

Well, the color profile mismatch is because I saved that one for printing (after I had printed it) and then changed it for web/email use. I use "Eye One" to calibrate my monitor to my printer, so that my colors are accurate. What happened was that it was given a profile, then printed. I then saved it for web/email and accidently saved the profile along with it. That's where the "Color profile mismatch" error comes from on your machine. You can try saving it with a different name as a .jpg and it may or may not get rid of that profile. It's nothing with your computer or you, so don't sweat it

As far as it looking good for only 93kb, I dropped the resolution to 100 pixels per inch and saved it at medium quality as a .jpg. I've found that saving things as 100-150 ppi at a medium .jpg helps them to look better on the computer monitors as compared to saving them at 72 ppi at a high .jpg. Even though most monitors only display 72 dpi, sacrificing the higher quality jpg setting at a lower resolution for a lower quality jpg setting at a higher resolution is usually better in the long run.

They way the camoflage (or BDU's rather) comes out when you boost the gamma is a little more technical. The information for the color and their BDU's is there, meaning that it's in the original image. It's just that it's so faint that the camera recognizes it as "near black" or "nearly no information". When you adjust the gamma and whatnot, you bring out the detail, but the program "guess's" what's supposed to be there, so it becomes grainy and looks crappy. It's the same reason why when you have a really dark image on your computer and you try to "brighten" it up, it becomes really grainy or pixelated looking. Now, with that said, I shot the picture at the highest resolution setting that the camera had, so it captured the image at 300 ppi! Meaning that the original image was of excellent quality. If I had shot it at the lowest resolution and only 72 ppi like most "point and shoot" digital cameras have, it probably wouldn't have picked up on that much detail.

Yes, I used photoshop to take out the dust/dirt that was on my lens. I believe that that camera also had a spec of dust on the imager itself, that always showed up. I don't have that camera any more, as it's outdated and Kodak doesn't make it any longer (it was a Kodak DCS 660).

Did this answer all your questions? If not let me know!

Thanks!

Hi stevealmighty

I think your photo is just wonderful!
The emotions that it convey's are just overwhelming.

Thanks so much for sharing.

Thanks Scarlett! That photo went over well on post just after I took it. It was actually enlarged to about 2ft by 3ft and put on "display" at the divisions RDF (Rapid Deployment Facility), which is where the original picture was taken.






I put another picture on this website of a C-5 Galaxy plane with the nose of the plane "up" and the tail of it "down". You can view that image HERE. It's a pretty neat sight, not to mention that the plane itself is huge! I did that picture just a short while ago.

Here's one that I did a few years back. I obviously set this one up. Simply had a soldier stand at attention and salute. Simple enough, but I like how the sunlight seems to be between the camera and the soldier, but his body and hand block part of the sun itself. Also a little lens flare to go along with the "cross" of the sun.

Doing a 6 mile roadmarch.......1 blister.

Doing a 6 mile roadmarch in about an hour.......4 blisters.

Doing a 6 mile roadmarch in about an hour while carrying roughly 60lbs of extra weight......7 blisters.

Doing a 6 mile roadmarch in about an hour while carrying roughly 60 pounds of extra weight when it's 12 degrees outside with the wind blowing 15-20 mph all while snowing 3 inches per hour and still managing to give a thumbs up for a photo......PRICELESS

!

Wonderful shots!

God bless our men and women in the Armed Forces.

Great pic.

Excellent work..you have a great eye !!!

Wow, thanks for all the compliments everyone! They're sincerely appreciated

In talking with Pandy about blackhawk helicopters, I remembered that I did this photo a few years back. It's of a blackhawk hovering over the "10th Mountain Division Statue", which is somewhat of a symbol to this division. It was actually a roayal pain to shoot, due to the fact that I was only about 30 feet away, and the rotorwash (wind produced by the blades) is roughly 180 mph! Needless to say it's windy

The aviation commander actually started using this picture on Plaques and awards for soldiers, too.

wow steve...great pics. thanks from an old USAF veteran. if i may i'd like to enter the 6 mile march pic to a "picture of the week" thread that i belong to. it's purely for entertainment purposes only. it's located here. if not ok then i will promptly remove it.

No no no, have at it Thanks for the curtosey link BTW These photos aren't copyright protected, so it's ok to use them elsewhere, although I do sincerely apprectiate the credit for the photos too! I know that I've got some of my pictures as wall paper on more than one computer....the one of the "sunset soldiers" is popular, specially among the troops!

USAF vet huh? Very nice, and thanks for all that you've done, from an Army vet to a USAF vet, it doesn't get much better than this Did you notice the link a few posts up that points to some planes? There's some neat shots, one of a galaxy plane, and another of a wart hog. Might bring back some memories from some younger years.......

Thanks and please enjoy the photos

Oh, and let me know how it rates

Awesome pics mate!!

This thread has been split, as it was getting off topic.
The new thread can be found here:
Digital Camera and Photography questions

Hoaks or real?



The story

I thought he was real

http://fallingsky.blogs.com/falling_sky/20..._not_a_bun.html

Awww I wanna give him a hug! And then put something warm on his face. He must be cold!

Actually, at that point, they only had about a half mile or so to go out of the 6 miles. At this time, they're usually warmed right up, and only their cheeks and nose are (is?) cold! But every soldier could use a hug and a warm change of clothes (or a hug!!!!!)!

I'm all about hugs! Especially for people who really deserve them, like the soldiers. I'll give him a mental hug.

Thank you FrancineZ for the wonderful picture! God bless them one and all!

{{{Our Troops}}}

http://www.americasupportsyou.mil/americas...syou/index.aspx

http://soldiersangels.org/heroes/index.php

Fantastic shots - impeccable quality. Well done.

Steve, any more pictures? Always loved this thread.

Excellent pics !
(spent 30 days at Ft.Drum for "Cold Weather Training" in '79 or '80 ,can't remember exactly )

Taking pictures such as you do, is not 'just' talent, it's a true gift - they touch one's heart, Stevealmighty! Wonderful!

Wow, I've missed a lot with this thread! I've just been extremely busy this year! I've got a long day today, as the U.S. Army Soldiers show is coming to Fort Drum, so I'll be working until about 10-10:30 tonight, and won't be home until 11:00ish tonight (that's a 13 hour day! )

Thanks to everyone for the compliments I do sincerely appreciate them all!

I'm waiting to see if some of the photos that I've done of welcome home ceremonies are ok to be realeased to the public, and I'll post some of them. I'll also post some of the ones that I'll take tonight at the Soldiers Show. Those are always "colorful" shots, assuming that they have the same lighting as last year!

This one here was from a welcome home earlier this year. Nothing spectacular, but I like the facial expressions on the peoples faces, specially the lady in the middle and the two younger ladies in the lower left of the image. I took this shot as the troops first marched into the gym. This was the first time that these people have seen their soldiers in over a year (about 14 months). This shot represents maybe 1/8th of the amount of people that attended this ceremony. Lots of tears followed afterwards when the troops were released from formation.....

Again, sorry for the back to back posting

I didn't do the Soldiers show this year, due to the fact that I chipped a molar that morning and was at the dentists office getting shots and drilled and poked and probed....and I still have to go back to fix it.

However, I just now recieved this picture in an email from a co-worker whose also a disabled vet. I felt touched by it before I ever read the caption to it. I hope that some of you will appreciate it too.

When I saved this picture, it had been labeled "untitled". I've changed the save name to "heros".

EDIT: Credit for the photo goes to Associated Press, not me

It's enough to make one weep. And it reminds me that whether a war is 'right' or 'wrong', it's the men and women we serve that are, as you said, Heros - wonderful and incredible heros!

Have to say steve
that last pic really says a lot...... well done.

Thanks Starbuck, but I didn't actaully take the photo. Credit for the photo goes to Associated Press. I've edited my post to reflect such. I don't want anyone to think that I'm trying to take credit for something that I didn't shoot

It is a nice photo. All of the photos that I've done of wounded soldiers have been released only to the soldier, so I can't post any of them. I'll have to check into it now that I'm thinking of it, as I think they might be able to be released after a certain time frame, it's either 1 or 10 years, I can't remember! I swear, I have a memory like a screen door on a submarine.....

Stevealmighty,

My hobby years ago was photography. I know the feeling you get when you come up with a good shot and I know the overwhelming excitement you feel when you come up with a fantastic shot..........
I have followed this thread of yours and the others with your pics in them and you truly are a gifted and honest photographer - giving credit where credits due. Well done my friend. Keep posting when you can and keep that finger on the button, for as all photographers know - it's a once in a lifetime chance when the next fantastic shot is going to present it's self.

Nige

Wow, thanks for the compliments everyone! And, yes JackTheHack, a photographer never knows when that perfect shot is going to happen. With me, I tell everyone that pictures happen in 1/60th of a second.....either you capture the moment or you miss it completely.

I've talked with our PAO (Public Affairs Officer) here, and he's given me the "OK" to post welcome home/redeployment photos, so here goes.

This one is simple, as I had it online already from when I sent it to an Army Magazine. It's a Soldier seeing his 2 small children for the first time in almost 15 months. This was the first time that he had seen the baby, and the little girl (older sister) was telling Daddy all about her new baby brother.

You certainly have a knack for capturing 'the moment'
Nice one stevealmighty

Thanks Starbuck!

I was attempting to "tell a story without words" in these next photos. In lieu of a frame, I put them on a background. I'm not sure if I like it set up like this or not, so let me know what you think. The idea behind shooting like this is to be able to put them in one of the multi-picture frames (a single picture frame that holds 4 or 5 photos) for display at home at a unit.



The photos look better larger, but I'm limited by photobucket for width...

Thanks for showing us these wonderful shots,Stevealmighty.
Like they say,1 picture is worth a thousand words.I only wished
I had the know how to do the same as you. WELL DONE.

DSTM.

Stevealmighty: This is a HOMERUN!! keep them coming. All these photos merits to be on the frontpage of all newspapers!! They speaks volumes of the American men and women in the honorable tradition of their forefathers in the frontline fighting for liberty!! They are patriots of America!! They deserves our unceasing support in keeping America safe, free, and prosperous!! I am very touched by all of these powerful images of courage, particular post#28 & #1., it precipitated sense of pride and respect(being from a family with military officers). Steve: I sure have a lot of respect in what you do. In this turbulent time in history that we live in, these are history in the making and you are doing a vital job of safe keeping them for future generations. Thank you for sharing these inspiring pictures of our warriors. You are doing a great job. KUDOs. Warmly. YOYO.

I agree completely with the other members here - you are doing an incredible job and how lucky the future generations will be to see these!

And that little girl in the multi-pictures - imagine what a treasure these pictures you took will be to her when she's old enough to know was the first time her daddy saw her - and all through her life! You are honestly creating family heirlooms with each click of your camera, Steve.

Thanks for the compliments everyone! I do sincerely appreciate them all!

Now for a little change of pace. This shot here I was lucky. Ok, it's because I was listening to the TC (Tank Commander) giving the "FIRE!" order over the radio. This was the only shot like this that I got (with the barrel flash) out of maybe 20 shots I took! It's a few years old, and the camera I was using was only 6 mega pixels (@300ppi), and only captured 2.5 frames per second....so I had to try to snap the photo when I heard "FIRE!". I must say that I even impressed myself with this shot! Good combo of a lot of luck and a little bit of skill! LOL!

If I recall correctly, this is an M1 Abram tank (I could be wrong, but I'm like 99.9% sure!)

Excellent action shot,Stevealmighty IMHO.You sure captured the moment.Once again,Well Done.

Yes, DSTM is right - a truly great shot, Stevealmighty! Well done!!! You know, I look at your photos here and am more convinced than ever that taking great photos is a 'gift' rather than just something learned. Yup, am quite sure it's right up there with some people having the gift of being math wizards and others being natural born marathon runners - and to have the gift to 'speak' to people without using words, as you do with your photos - well, a true gift indeed!

Cool pic... I Love muzzle flash

Here's a nice shot that I got last night at about 0200 (2:00 AM) at a welcome home ceremony. Look closely at the soldiers face...you can see his tears going down his cheeks.

I hope that everyone isn't getting "bored" with these shots

Oh dear, another one to make my heart smile and to bring tears to my eyes - a beautiful shot, Stevealmighty!!
(And another family treasure to be passed on from one generation to the next all because of you and your wonderful gift )

No need to say a word.
The Photo says it all.
You sure captured the moment.
Well Done again,Stevealmighty.

Well done SAM....

Oh my Steve, your last photo is just lovely. I have tears welling up in my eyes. Thank you for sharing.

Thank you Soldier. Welcome Home!

Steve, thank you too.

Some of the best photos I have seen in my life Good job

Wish I would have seen this thread before

-Steve

Another photo I thought you guys might like from My son-in-law on duty during deployment ....
nice photo....