Lest We Forget, ANZAC Day Parade 2006 (Part 1)

[viewfinder]

What is ANZAC Day?

ANZAC Day - 25 April - is probably Australia's most important national occasion. It marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War. ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. The soldiers in those forces quickly became known as ANZACs, and the pride they soon took in that name endures to this day.

Source: ANZAC Day Tradition (http://www.awm.gov.au/commemoration/anzac/anzac_tradition.htm)

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These were taken earlier this year in April and I have posted it elsewhere, but thought I'd share them here with you.

This is my little tribute to the ANZACs. It's a while since I last went to the ANZAC Day Parade, I vaguely remember shooting B&W Kodak films using my F90X, and even the F801!

Anyway, here are a few from the series. Part 2 here (http://pixel-shooter.com/forum/showthread.php?t=672), and you can find the rest here (http://pixelightbox.com/v/viewfinder/anzac/2006/) (350+ in total) in a set of mini slideshows, so feel free to browse through them at your leisure.

http://pixelightbox.com/d/1871-4/D2C_010216.jpg

http://pixelightbox.com/d/1219-4/D2C_009503.jpg

http://pixelightbox.com/d/1237-4/D2C_009536.jpg

http://pixelightbox.com/d/1277-4/D2C_009572.jpg

http://pixelightbox.com/d/1307-4/D2C_009594.jpg

http://pixelightbox.com/d/1335-4/D2C_009619.jpg

http://pixelightbox.com/d/1179-4/D2C_009621.jpg

http://pixelightbox.com/d/1185-4/D2C_009631.jpg

http://pixelightbox.com/d/1205-4/D2C_009651.jpg

http://pixelightbox.com/d/1401-4/D2C_009674.jpg

http://pixelightbox.com/d/1463-4/D2C_009737.jpg

Technical: D200, in-camera B&W processing, mostly 85mm 1.8D (which explains the tight crops in some shots), the rest with 50mm 1.8D, 105mm micro and 18-70mm kit lens. Very little post processing - resize, input levels adjustment to bring in both ends slightly, slight USM and frame.

Comments, feedbacks and critiques most welcome.

Regards,
Jonathan

[Harv]

A very thought provoking and well executed series, Jonathan. I think the B&W treatment suits this perfectly. Thanks for sharing.

[Jonathan]

Jonathan I am really fond of these images! I stared at #8 and admired how awesome it was for a good bit

[viewfinder]

Thanks Harvey and Jonathan.

It was an uplifting experience, and the atmosphere was as you would expect for such an occasion, I was privileged to be there to witness it. I think I will make an effort to go again next year.

I had B&W in mind when I went out for the shoot, as I have always shot B&W films for the ANZAC. I didn't fancy doing the B&W conversion knowing that I will be shooting quite a few, so I decided to use the in-camera B&W process instead, I am glad that they came out fine, much better than I'd have manually converted them I think.

Regards,
Jonathan

[Kevin]

Excellent series, Jonathan!! I'm especially fond of #2 for some reason. The composition is these is really top notch! Love the decision to go B&W also. Very nice!

[Ann]

This is a wonderful series! B&W is perfect for your tribute. Thanks for explaining, I really wasn't aware of their contribution to WW1. Sometimes I don't think we learn enough history.

[Lisa]

Jonathan:

These are excellent! I love street photography and your decision to convert to b/w was a good one. I think it really adds to the overall mood of the series. Thank you, also, for the explanation.

[viewfinder]

Thank you Ann and Lisa.

I am glad you find the information, well, informative ;). I believe we still have a couple of the diggers (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digger_%28soldier%29) (Australian slang for soldiers) left still from WWI, they are in their 100+ by now.

Gallipoli (http://www.anzacsite.gov.au/), or the Battle of Gallipoli (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Gallipoli), is what the ANZACs are well known for, I am sure you can find plenty of information around if you are keen.

Regards,
Jonathan

[Bobby]

Jonathan, I love this series. I think it is wonderful that this much emphasis is placed on Anzac day. Too many young people today have no appreciation of why they are able to enjoy the freedoms they have. We have a wonderful tenor from Toronto who did a very poignant song about this time in history. His name is John McDermott, album is "Danny Boy" and cut is "And the band played waltzing matilda". Hope you can find it and listen.

[JaredB]

Jonathan - thanks much for posting these shots. They are wonderful and I agree that black and white was the way to go for these.

When it comes down to it - landscapes, animals and flowers make for some very appealing photographs - but they pale in comparison to the scenes that you have captured here in the whole scheme of things.

This is some of the best (if not the best) photography posted so far in this forum. One man's opinion.

[Keith]

All great stuff and the B&W really adds to it!

[viewfinder]

We have a wonderful tenor from Toronto who did a very poignant song about this time in history. His name is John McDermott, album is "Danny Boy" and cut is "And the band played waltzing matilda". Hope you can find it and listen.
Thank you Bobby. I haven't heard that particular song, but I will keep an eye out for it. Reminds me of Tom Traubert's Blues by Tom Waite, which is another song that incorporates parts of Waltzing Matilda.

Regards,
Jonathan

[viewfinder]

When it comes down to it - landscapes, animals and flowers make for some very appealing photographs - but they pale in comparison to the scenes that you have captured here in the whole scheme of things.

This is some of the best (if not the best) photography posted so far in this forum. One man's opinion.
I am really honoured Jared, I hope I can live up to it!

I think the scenes just made themselves, I just happened to be at the right place at the right time, pressing the shutter was all I needed to do. The crowd needed no encouragement, and the various emotions you see were spontaneous and sincere, it is a testament to the respects we have for the ANZACs.

Regards,
Jonathan

[viewfinder]

Thanks Keith!

Regards,
Jonathan

[JaredB]

I am really honoured Jared, I hope I can live up to it!

I think the scenes just made themselves, I just happened to be at the right place at the right time, pressing the shutter was all I needed to do. The crowd needed no encouragement, and the various emotions you see were spontaneous and sincere, it is a testament to the respects we have for the ANZACs.

Regards,
Jonathan

No problem Jonathan - I honestly believe what I said. People are the best subject matter for photography and you have done a great job of capturing people in very natural and interesting ways with these shots.

I would love to see more if you have them.