Weekly Photo Theme – Flags

My initial thought to flags was very one dimensional. How many was can I photograph THE flag and make it interesting. This was my first challenge. It wasn’t until I was out exploring that it really hit me that flags as a theme was very cool. There were more possibilities than I originally thought and it was at that moment that the challenge became very compelling. I also was able to do a little more scouting and return when the conditions were better.

My first image is a return to Fort Stanwix in Rome, NY. I used an image of the fort during the shape week theme and was going to try for an image of the flag flying over the fort for this week. My vision was an image of the flag and fort rising above the tall grass. I did get a few images like that but I spotted this view walking toward the fort and could not resist the natural framing provided by the trees.

Proudly Waves
Nikon D5100, Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6, 1/400s, 135mm, f/11, ISO 200

I love to walk around in downtown Rome. Not only is there great architectural photo opportunities there are some very beautiful floral displays that allow for great images. As I was walking around the WWII Memorial I spotted this line of flags next to the sidewalk. Usually used to mark construction or underground obstacles, I really liked the contrast of the orange flags against the fresh green grass. I decided to use the telephoto lens to compress the line and a large aperture to blur everything receding away.

Get In Line
Nikon D5100, Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6, 1/200s, 150mm, f/5.6, ISO 400

This last image might stretch the ‘flag’ theme a little but I have always enjoyed this mural when driving through Rome. Revere Copper used to have a manufacturing plant in Rome. I’m not positive if they still use it (don’t think so) but it was a big part of the Rome economy. I wasn’t able to get the sky I wanted and was tempted to replace it but left it as it is for now… 🙂

Paul Revere Rides Again
Nikon D5100, Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6, 1/200s, 65mm, f/8, ISO 200