Vietnam memorabilia

[DougR]

My CTF 115 Badge from one of my tours in Vietnam.



Doug

[chauncey]

Perhaps bring up the darks a little.

[flashback]

I like it the way is. Swifts?

[rpcrowe]

Brings back memories - some fond and many not so fond.

I would like to have seen a bit more of the .45 Automatic as well as a bit more of the magazine for that weapon.

BTW: I was a combat cameraman and covered CTF 115, 116 and 117 as well as the Seabees, Marines and Vietnamese Navy during that conflict... I also, during my 26 months in-country would go out to Yankee and (earlier) Dixie Station and cover the blue water Navy. I missed landing aboard the USS Forrestal (CVA-59) less than a half hour before the explosions and the massive fire...

[mknittle]

I like it the way is. Swifts?

+1 It works for me.

[Chri5]

I agree. I would leave the darks as they are. and like Richard I too would like to see some more of the pistol and (is that a clip to the right?)

[rpcrowe]

Magazine - often called a clip... However, clips are used in some rifles such as the M-1 Garand and the SMLE of WW-2 fame...

[flashback]

Magazine - often called a clip... However, clips are used in some rifles such as the M-1 Garand and the SMLE of WW-2 fame...

The M-1, with that very noticeable metallic ping when the clip was ejected.

[NorthernFocus]

Nicely displayed, Doug. Though I do agree with prior comments that a little bit less subtlety with the pistol and/or clip might be even more effective.

[DougR]

Brings back memories - some fond and many not so fond.

I would like to have seen a bit more of the .45 Automatic as well as a bit more of the magazine for that weapon.

BTW: I was a combat cameraman and covered CTF 115, 116 and 117 as well as the Seabees, Marines and Vietnamese Navy during that conflict... I also, during my 26 months in-country would go out to Yankee and (earlier) Dixie Station and cover the blue water Navy. I missed landing aboard the USS Forrestal (CVA-59) less than a half hour before the explosions and the massive fire...

I was attached to MIUWS-11, under IUWG-1. We set up a site at Cam Ranh Bay to monitor boat traffic in the area. We did work with the Swift boats from the Market Time base just up the coast as well. After re-enlisting, I spent 19 months in Danang. I can't imagine your time as a combat cameraman! !
Thank you all for the kind comments. I tried to make it a little dark and nostalgic by adding warmth, vignette and some burning. I didn't show as much of the pistol and magazine because the badge was the subject, though I may redo.

Thanks again!

Doug

[DougR]

Holy Smokes! I see this morning what I think you folks were talking about when you were requesting to see more of the pistol and magazine. The photo was processed in LR on my desktop computer with a rather large, well lit screen. On it the picture looks fine, I can see (though dark) all of the detail of the pistol grip and the magazine. This morning I opened the same picture on my laptop and and everything in the upper left and right corners is almost totally black! I can only see the bottom corner and lanyard loop of the pistol and just make out the copper jacket of the cartridge in the magazine.
This experience has motivated me to calibrate my desktop screen as soon as possible.

Thanks again for the comments and critiques which has opened my eyes to a rather embarrassing issue.

Doug

[Loose Canon]

Hi Doug,

Before I say anything further I would like to personally thank you for your Service. It does not go unappreciated sir.

So about the shot? I might bounce a couple of thoughts off you and you can decide whether they have any merit!

I think the shot looks pretty darn good as it stands. You have the subject and you have the supporting props. Cool.

I’m digging the cartridge box and the canvas surfaces. Great for the scene and period of these items. The magazine and the round in it plays a good supporting role and the round points toward the badge, which is great. Helps keep the eye on the badge.

I wonder about the pistol in the composition (I presume this is an M1911A1 and probably a Mix Master at that). If you don’t know what you are looking at, it may not be readily apparent that it is the grip/butt of a pistol. Not everyone would recognize it. However, if you turned it over such that the barrel/slide/front sight were in the frame, maybe coming in on a diagonal from that corner and aimed at the badge might solve that. Pretty much everyone would recognize the business end of a sidearm and also might provide a leading line to the badge. And if you are okay with your lighting the front sight/slide/barrel would show just enough to make it obvious. The amount of light fall-off in the shot would be less of an issue (if it is at all) because the eye would be leading in, and the pistol would have been recognized for what it is straight off. For that matter, the magazine/cartridge could also maybe be turned such that the top of the mag with the round (and showing the casing and projectile) more prominently pointing to the badge.

I would also be tempted to add a couple (well three or other odd number actually) of loose rounds to the scene. Maybe one standing and a couple laying down or something like that! Probably for the same reason as the pistol. Maybe not everyone would recognize the mag. as it sits for what it is.

Anyway Doug, just some thoughts. Just as an aside I wouldn’t mind seeing a full shot of that .45 at some point. (Hint, hint!)

And thank you again for Serving. An important shot you have here.

[rpcrowe]

I like Terry's idea of incorporating a couple of loose rounds. I am wondering if a boonie hat or a pistol belt wouldn't tie the image together?

However, still life images like this are certainly not my forte...

[flashback]

Might as well throw in a pair of jungle boots and skeeter repellent as well.
Truth be told, while the .45 and mag are certainly legit, have you thought about what else you could have included that more directly relates to your riverine activities there? As a simple Seabee I had to google CTF 115 .