Before I got into Hackensack Memorial Park this morning, I saw this group (first shot) at Cranberry Junction. In the fifth shot, I had seen the hat upside-down next to the bell, but before I could take a shot, the owner came over and retrieved it, so I asked him if I could take a picture of it right-side-up by the bell because I liked the composition and he was kind enough to let me. He then assumed his position (sixth pic).
Everything else is pretty self-explanatory until we see him (and someone else) once again. I have a real issue with a photographer who becomes too obvious and is detrimental to the moment. The bell was being rung and a lot of eyes were looking in its direction, including mine.
I understand what the photographer was trying to capture - if you go back to that sixth picture, you can see that the memorial would be in the background and that would be perfect framing, considering why we all were there. The background in my shot is terrible. Photographically, he'd have to focus either on the bell or the memorial and - considering that he's so close to the bell - one would be sharp and the other would be way out of focus. If he backed up and zoomed to frame, he'd stand a better chance of getting both closer to being in focus...............plus, he'd be out of everyone's view.
Having said all that, there will probably be a beautifully sharp picture of his shot in the paper or somewhere tomorrow.
But before that happens.............I just came up with my own solution - the last picture.
All fooling around aside, the ceremony struck note the right note and tone and the weather was beautiful.
CLICK!