Ciel meurtri Photo

Photographer’s Note

Si certains d'entre vous n'avez jamais vu cette statue, vous avez sans doute reconnu la photo qui l'a inspirée. Cette image inoubliable de Joe Rosenthal est la plus reproduite dans l'histoire de la photographie. Elle a aussi remporté le Prix Pulitzer de la Photographie en 1945.

Mais ce que j'ignorais, c'est qu'il s'agissait d'une photo planifiée. J'avais toujours cru qu'il s'agissait d'une photo spontanée du levé d'un drapeau américain au sommet du Mont Suribachi, en guise de symbole de la capture de l'Île d'Iwo Jima, prise à un moment décisif.

L'histoire est plutôt qu'une première troupe a levé un premier petit drapeau, puis plus tard, sur l'ordre d'un lieutenant, une seconde unité est venue planter un second drapeau plus gros pour remplacer le premier. C'est ce moment commandé qui a été immortalisé par Rosenthal.

Anecdote surprenante: J'ai appris qu'un des soldats qui apparaît sur la photo est un type de mon bled, un québécois de Sainte-Luce. Sa famille avait immigré au New Hampshire, USA, et c'est ainsi qu'il s'est retrouvé sur ce champ de bataille.

Pour ceux qui seraient intéressés, il existe un extrait de film qui illustre ce moment précis. Non pas d'un point de vue politique mais strictement pour des considérations historiques, ces images sont fascinantes.

Il est intéressant de noter que la version photo semble plus héroïque que la version animée.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Raising_the_Flag_on_Iwo_Jima_(color).ogg

gary91, jjcordier, DKarine, sevy, mvdisco trouve(nt) cette note utile

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gary91 (15321) 2008-09-11 21:42

Salut André,
Une manière originale pour traiter ce sujet maintes fois traité.
C'est bien vu l'ombre chinoise qui permet bien sûr de reconnaitre immédiatement cette célèbre statue.
Comme tu en as l'habitude, tu as patiemment attendu ton heure et choisi ton point de vue méticuleusement pour produire la scène attendue.
Ce ciel est magnifique et comprend vraiment la totalité des couleurs de l'arc-en-ciel pour former une toile de fond aussi colorée que le sujet est noir.
Le tout est bien complété par ta note fouillée. Je ne savais effectivement pas que cette fameuse photo n'était pas un instantané, mais c'est vrai que 1945 est déjà en plein dans le règne de l'image et de la communication...
Bonne journée à toi et bon week-end.
Amicalement, Christian

jjcordier (25036) 2008-09-11 21:44

André
Quelle mise en scène! De ta part d'abord avec un ciel d'une fracassante beauté qui redonne des couleurs à cette célèbre photo et au photographe d'origine qui a certainement fait refaire la scène pour l'immortaliser sur pellicule. Mais il faut avouer qu'il a obtenu une image très forte à la composition exceptionnelle (trop exceptionnelle pour être spontanée!). En tout cas, tu nous as sorti une sacrée photo ici!
Amitiés
JJ

anupam06 (336) 2008-09-11 21:45 [Comment]

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Wanda1 (11015) 2008-09-11 22:02

Hello Andre,
The colours and the dappled clouds in layers make the shot for me. I really like that the pinky reddy colour at the top of the frame matches the same colour at the bottom of the frame forming a cohesive image. The silhoutted statue is nice and sharp and well placed at the bottom of the frame.
I remember I did an essay about the famous photo for a school project in history of photography.
See you neighbour ;o)
Have a good weekend!
Wanda

Morac (20717) 2008-09-11 22:08

Bonjour André,

L'essentiel ayant été dit par Jean-Jacques et Christian, je fais simple : QUEL SUPERBE CIEL

Bonne journée
Amicalement

Marc

DKarine (3852) 2008-09-11 22:53

Je dois être l'inculte du jour parce que je ne connais ni la statue, ni le photographe!
En tout cas, c'est superbe...
Quel ciel!!!
Et tous les détails qui ressortent en ombres chinoises c'est vraiment beau.
On se croirait en haut d'une montagne, au dessus des nuages, sans rien autour...
C'est d'ailleurs ça qui m'étonne dans ta photo... Y'a rien autour? la statue est surélevée?.
Historique ou pas, c'est splendide!
Karine

cbrman (18981) 2008-09-11 22:54

Hello André,

Une statue des plus célèbre que tu as judicieusement saisie en ombre chinoise devant un ciel magnifique. Bravo pour la patience et le bon timing. Les couleurs sont superbes ! Tu m'apprends par contre que la scène avait été "rejouée" !
Bravo !

A+

Dominique

euryan (8351) 2008-09-11 23:06

The Marine Corps War Memorial stands as a symbol of this grateful Nation's esteem for the honored dead of the U.S. Marine Corps. While the statue depicts one of the most famous incidents of World War II, the memorial is dedicated to all Marines who have given their lives in the defense of the United States since 1775.

The small island of Iwo Jima lies 660 miles south of Tokyo. One of its outstanding geographical features is Mount Suribachi, an extinct volcano that forms the narrow southern tip of the island and rises 550 feet to dominate the area. By February 1945, U.S. troops had recaptured most of the territory taken by the Japanese in 1941 and 1942; still uncaptured was Iwo Jima, which became a primary objective in American plans to bring the Pacific campaign to a successful conclusion.

On the morning of February 19, 1945, the 4th and 5th Marine Divisions invaded Iwo Jima after a somewhat ineffective bombardment lasting 72 hours. The 28th Regiment, 5th Division, was ordered to capture Mount Suribachi. They reached the base of the mountain on the afternoon of February 21, and by nightfall the next day had almost completely surrounded it. On the morning of February 23, Marines of Company E, 2nd Battalion, started the tortuous climb up the rough terrain to the top. At about 10:30 a.m., men all over the island were thrilled by the sight of a small American flag flying from atop Mount Suribachi. That afternoon, when the slopes were clear of enemy resistance, a second, larger flag was raised by five Marines and a Navy hospital corpsman: Sgt. Michael Strank, Cpl. Harlon H. Block, Pfc. Franklin R. Sousley, Pfc. Rene A. Gagnon, Pfc. Ira Hayes, and PhM. 2/c John H. Bradley, USN.

News-photographer Joe Rosenthal caught the afternoon flag raising in an inspiring Pulitzer Prize winning photograph. When the picture was later released, sculptor Felix W. de Weldon, then on duty with the U.S. Navy, was so moved by the scene that he constructed a scale model and then a life-size model of it. Gagnon, Hayes, and Bradley, the three survivors of the flag raising (the others having been killed in later phases of the Iwo Jima battle), posed for the sculptor who modeled their faces in clay. All available pictures and physical statistics of the three who had given their lives were collected and then used in the modeling of their faces.

Burnished in gold on the granite are the names and dates of every principal Marine Corps engagement since the founding of the Corps, as well as the inscription: "In honor and in memory of the men of the United States Marine Corps who have given their lives to their country since November 10, 1775." Also inscribed on the base is the tribute of Fleet Adm. Chester W. Nimitz to the fighting men on Iwo Jima: "Uncommon Valor was a Common Virtue."
-http://www.nps.gov/gwmp/usmc.htm

Thanks for this great shot André.

PJE (19481) 2008-09-11 23:21

Andre I would have to agree with what some others have already said here that the background colors are what make this photo incredible to say the least. It has to go into my favorite file. Thanks for sharing an amazing shot.
Cheers Paul

rgarrigus (0) 2008-09-11 23:33

Hi André,

The simplicity of this image speaks volumes. It is rare to see such an icon displayed in such a new and innovative manner.

Outstanding!

Bob G.

barrufeto_77 (25897) 2008-09-11 23:45

Hi Mr Portrait.

The background is...amazing! When did you take that picture?

Rgs, Oscar

Nicou (45381) 2008-09-12 0:34

Hello andré,

quel ciel, c'est un rêve, avec cette statue en ombre chinoise, mangigique, c'est vraiment un image de grande claasse, connaissant la quilité que tu nous propose, rien ne m'étonne, vraiment superbe.

Amitié

Nicou

Floydian (30970) 2008-09-12 1:25

Hi my friend,

Of course you have seen both movies; Flag Of Our Fathers and Letters From Iwo Jima. In that first one you see planting of the flag and were the picture is made. A famous picture and when i would live there i would also have it my collection, because i like how it is build up. Statues are normally very static, but this one is really expressive and because it's a copy of the photo i like it a lot.
And being there with this light, with this beautiful colour palet.....man it's wonderful, you really show us dedication in being there on a time were 99% is still asleep....only the real die-hards are standing there ;-)

Take care,

Henk

kyrneucciu (1344) 2008-09-12 2:41

Hi Andre, beautiful symbolic system nothing has to say superb image.congratulations. JO

dkeus31 (26316) 2008-09-12 3:12

bonjour André,
très jolie cette image, le ciel aux couleurs magnifique fait toute la photo, ou presque...
bonne journée,
didier

mark_mk (246) 2008-09-12 3:30

Hi Andre,
wow, this one is spectacular, simply amazing! These silhouettes look great, but this sky... I just keep looking at it, so many great color tones! It`s a real eyecatcher, fantastic job, once again! Your note is also interesting, thanks for sharing this image, what a shot!

Take care
Mark

carper (65350) 2008-09-12 3:36

Hello Andre.
I remember me in ducumetair books over that war, a shot like this one in black and white. Yours is great, a fantastic silhouetted, a good composition and what a fantastic sky, marvelous photojob here. have a nice day.
regard jaap

asajernigan (14236) 2008-09-12 4:01

Andre,
Great shot of the Iwo Jima memorial. The silhouette of the monument against the great evening sky is fantastic. The lighting and colors are fantastic with great sharpness and DOF. Excellent tribute on this anniversary of 9/11.
TFS,
Asa

aadilj (17950) 2008-09-12 4:51

hey Andre, I love the way you have used the silhoueete of the statue against the multi coloured sky and have brought the ambience alive with a burst of energy and elan. I like the composition and the way you have captured it

scalerman (25783) 2008-09-12 7:24

André: Great note - and a near perfect image - great flattery to the original. If indeed you're directing more of your work towards the commercial/stock direction, I think this is a fine brick in that road. Perfect colors too. c

niphredil76 (692) 2008-09-12 7:27

Ciao Andre,
great silhouette and perfect framing of a famous statue.
But your shot is really outstanding because of those wonderful coloured layers of clouds, matching the pink sky at the feet of the stone soldiers.So they seem to walk in the sky with blood down their feet.
Bravo, TFS
Laura
P.S. thanks also to Ryan! very very interesting critique!

P-S-I-G (24482) 2008-09-12 7:28

Salut André,
La photo de ROSENTHAL mérite sa célébrité, elle est très bonne et émouvante. Mais j'ai quand même apprécié de voir grâce au film de EASTWOOD comment les vrais héros avaient été utilisés, voire instrumentalisés pour être ensuite carrément oubliés par leur patrie.
Amicalement,
Fabrice

jaywalker (12242) 2008-09-12 7:36

Hi Andre, One of the most historic war photos of all time gave itself up to create this excellent statue, your shot of it really gives it justice, the fabulous sky entwined with stunning colours, create that superb background, a wonderful silhouette, TFS, kind regards Wilson.

Cormac (26451) 2008-09-12 7:53

You are certainly the master of lighting, and the sky you got for this picture is just perfect for this shot. Dramatic, beautiful, and at the same time complex and simple. The silhoetted figures stand out incredibly well with that wonderful background. Excellent work!

MarcT (21103) 2008-09-12 8:43

Salut André,
Voici une fameuse statue d'après une fameuse photo... "posée" et mise en scène pour la postérité. Donc... une photo de la reproduction 3D d'une image posée pour une campagne de récolte de fonds pour financer l'effort de guerre... Il y a beau film sur ces évènements.
Amitiés
Marc

hrschwartz (696) 2008-09-12 11:53

Hi Andre,

How do you do it? Always top-notch! Actually, I do know how you do it: up early, not eating at usual hours and probably a lot less TV. Good for you!

Yes, the history of the famous photo is very interesting. I've also read that is was far from spontaneous. Oh well, sometimes one has to help their "luck."

Regards,
Randy

patdeph (18180) 2008-09-12 11:57

bonsoir André
ces statues en ombre chinoises sur ce ciel stupéfiant de beauté,donne une photo unique et grandiose!Rien à dire de plus,c'estfabuleux!
Amitiés
Pascale

pboehringer (770) 2008-09-12 13:58

Andre,
I work at the Veteran Affairs and you can imagine how much value this statue has there. I already saw this shot humpteen times and NONE came even close to this here. Man, go to 1600 Pensylvannia Ave and have an audience with the Chief-in-Command. Show him your portofolio and you will be the his official photograph for the last days of his term.
Did you see Clint Eastwood's movie rearding the raising of the flag? Interesting to read Ryan's note because I got the info that Pfc. Ira Hayes was actually another survivor of the war, although his later days weren't very honorable.
Outstanding work!
Peter

marietom (32058) 2008-09-14 14:39

salut André,

Ton ciel est magnifiquement coloré, et cette statue et ce drapeau en ombres chinoises, trop beaux !
Bises
Marie

Crosman (113) 2008-09-17 9:57 [Comment]

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cdmonson (2757) 2008-09-19 7:36

Hi Andre:

Most shots I've seen of this memorial (including my own), show it during the day, or with lighting that you can see the details. I rather like the silhouette against the sky. Because you can't see the details of their faces, I think it's a lot more symbolic--a heroic act performed by otherwise average, unknown, unheralded soldiers. You can almost hear "Taps" playing in the background.

This is the most moving shot I've seen in a long time. Other than Arlington cemetery and the Vietnam War Memorial, this was my favorite place in D.C. Thanks for capturing it so beautifully.

Clark

P.S. Interesting note about the Quebecois that was there--go Canada! ;)

Dpbours (220) 2008-09-19 20:37

Hello André,

That's a good note! I did see the photograph and I did see pictures of the monument. I just did not have that much with military show-off. Either in photographs or statues. I have to say that this view towards military has changed over time.
Very nice background colours. Wonderfully natural!

Greetings, Dennis

danielswalsh (13324) 2008-09-20 4:46

Great shot Andre!

Not easy to photograph such a famous statue and do it justice- however, you've done that here! Excellent silhouette, and I like the irony in the sunset being 'red, white & blue'.

Nice work!
- Dan

P.S.- I've reposted the train shot with your suggestions.

donluicu (23927) 2008-09-20 12:00

o andré...
c'est une pure merveille!!
quelles couleurs, quelle ompo..;
c'est tellement simplee tefficace que c'en est emouvant!

bravo

kiks (6145) 2008-09-20 14:16

Fantastic bg colors for this sillouet. THe end result is a master peace, INasias. Congratulations
KIKs

Angshu (33963) 2008-09-23 2:26

Hello Andre
I remember this incident from the film Flag of our Fathers...but then how differently should one express an oft photographed statue? Well I guess you have the answer. Pitch dark silhouettes against the orange & pink dappled clouds & sky...amazing!
With Regards
Angshu

Signal-Womb (11753) 2008-09-24 16:33

Awesome capture Andre, Iv seen this somewhere before DCM2008? What a fantastic sky to backlight this silhoutted statue and the composition is just perfect. A great great work and memorial image. Best regards Steve..

mvdisco (11581) 2008-10-17 4:53

Bonjour André,
je vois beaucoup de belles photos dans votre galerie et celle-ci m'a frappée par son point de vue sous un ciel magnifique, belles silhouettes sous un coucher de soleil fantastique, notes très intéressantes sur le sujet et superbe composition et détails,
Tous mes compliments
Michel