Farewell to Old Glory

[VegasGeorge]

We had local Scout Troop 912 come to my community to conduct a traditional flag retirement ceremony. I had a field day with my camera. Unfortunately, when I got home, I saw that the sky behind the ceremony shots was blown out. The Scouts were standing in the afternoon shade, facing East. After looking through my photos, I realized that I could save the shot I liked best by being creative. So, I combined three of my shots to hide the sky, and tell the story. This is one of my first attempts to use layers in Photoshop. I learned a lot from this exercise. I hope you enjoy seeing it.

[2goldens]

I have been involved with Scouting for many years. I think that this is a wonderful photograph and would be proud of it if I took it. Put this in a frame and display it for all to see when thy come to your home. Great photography. :D

[pdrow]

Nice work. A couple of questions for you. I know you used layers, but how did you select what you cut away? Did you select and delete, erase or use the extraction tool.
There are a coupld of things that you might want to consider adjusting or removing. 1)the shadowed head in the flag and 2) the extra shirt sleeve behind the front boy's head. I had to look at it a couple of times, but the very bright white on the pants of the other boy in blue keeps drawing my eye to him. I'm not sure if you can, but it seems like the man and front boy look a little pasty. Maybe you could play with that layer a little more get them more on the same tones as the others.

I think this a creative way to use the photos.
pam

[VegasGeorge]

Nice work. A couple of questions for you. I know you used layers, but how did you select what you cut away? Did you select and delete, erase or use the extraction tool.
There are a coupld of things that you might want to consider adjusting or removing. 1)the shadowed head in the flag and 2) the extra shirt sleeve behind the front boy's head. I had to look at it a couple of times, but the very bright white on the pants of the other boy in blue keeps drawing my eye to him. I'm not sure if you can, but it seems like the man and front boy look a little pasty. Maybe you could play with that layer a little more get them more on the same tones as the others.

I think this a creative way to use the photos.
pam

Wow! Thanks for the critique! I intentionally left the shadowed head in the flag, I kind of like it there. I didn't even see the extra sleeve behind the front boys head. How could I have been so blind!!! I will fix that. I'll take a look at that bright whit on the pant leg and see what it is. And, finally, the "pasty" look is the smoke from the fire. I think it has to stay.

I used the manual erase method. I'm not advanced enough yet to mask for extraction, etc. I did use the lasso tool to select areas to tweak. I highlighted the cub scout's face, and I Jazzed up the flames with contrast and red saturation. I love the way the smudge tool works!

Thanks for the kind words, 2goldens. I'll definately keep this and give the Scout Troop a copy too.

I'll repost the image after I make some adjustments.