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youth was the first casualty

© Matthew Roybal

youth was the first casualty

Uploaded: May 14, 2003 19:47:28

Description

A pic of my father at the moving wall, combined with a pic of my dad at Ke sahn combined in photoshop.

Comments

Bernard B. Travers May 14, 2003

This is really very well conceived. Excellent job, Matthew. #35019

Matthew Roybal May 26, 2019

Thank you Bernard! Well you know the wall is like a reflection into the past. Of lost buddies or memories, or youth. My father like most veterans feels an emotional conection with this memorial(probably the most well designed of all the war memorials in my opinion). And the black granite is a perfect mirror into each mans indivdual experiance. #96898

Juliane Morris-Lusk May 26, 2019

What a narrative photo essay...This is wondeful, and teaches the youth in the present moment. Five years ago, this photo would talk to many, now it speaks to many, many more. Thank you. And great creation. #96984

Sally A. Rothweiler May 26, 2019

This is really wonderful, the image and writing! Your pop must be proud of you. You certainly are proud of him! Way to go, Matthew! #96999

Damian P. Gadal May 26, 2019

Very powerful image! #97022

Carl D. Miller May 26, 2019

Great composite Mat! This definitely says a lot! Did you get your father to pose with the same expression, that adds a lot to this. This seems pretty well thought out. I like the three layer effect with the recent photo right up front and then the older shot farther back and then the wall. Youth left behind and even farther their dead friends. Great job! #97156

Matthew Roybal May 26, 2019

Thank you all! I am very proud of my father, he sacrificed a lot. This is a technique thats very easy to do, I like to think of it as ghosting. create a layer, adjust lluminosity to about 40% add a slight glow, then shoot your pic with the space you are going to use for the ghost "in mind". #97265

Matthew Roybal May 26, 2019

Oh and Carl, no my father chose that pose naturally. Ironic uh. And it actually was only 2 layers, he was standing in front of the wall. ( Posted anything lately Carl?) #97322

Patrick Campbell May 26, 2019

Congrats and good luck in the finals Matthew. I barely missed being drafted for this war. Seeing the Vietnam Memorial in person is a powerful experience. #113718

Matthew Roybal May 26, 2019

Thank you Patrick, I am glad you missed the action over there, from what I hear it wasnt fun. #114877

Bernard B. Travers May 26, 2019

Great photo - great choice for finalist. Congrats, Matthew. #114919

Kathleen Clemons May 26, 2019

Congratulations on your win with this very powerful image! #117062

Peggy Wolff May 26, 2019

Congrats on your win! THis is such an interesting photo. #117290

Connie I. Chandler May 26, 2019

Congratulations! What a poignant idea for a photograph! Well deserved win! #117381

Patrick Campbell May 26, 2019

Congrats Matthew--glad to see the judges also appreciated the excellence of this image. #117498

Bernard B. Travers May 26, 2019

I knew this one had it. Congratulations, Matthew. #117504

Carl D. Miller May 26, 2019

Way to go Dude! I had a hunch this would be winner. #117516

Matthew Roybal May 26, 2019

Thanks guys! When I thought up this image I didnt relize the response it would get. I knew the feeling of this photo, when I was young my dad would tell me stories from "Nam". That feeling....the look in my fathers eye when he talked about his "KIA" freinds, or the sniper attacks, or what its like landing in a "hot LZ" from a huey helicopter....that feeling you can only get talking to a veteran. That was what I was trying to convey. Thanks everyone! #117880

Connie L. Carpenter May 26, 2019

What an awesome idea... it is the first time I have viewed this image and I have to say that it made me cry... unbelievably powerful... and your words harken back my father's stories as well. This is beautiful... beautiful... wish I could steal it but my father is gone. Congratulations.. it is so very well deserved. #117915

Matthew Roybal May 26, 2019

Thank you Connie! my condolances about your dad....Im sure he was a special guy. I appreciate his service to our country.

And if anyone wants to steal this idea for a Vietnam vet ...DO IT. I have even taken old pictures of men that died over there, and used this technique with a living relative. Almost like the spirit of the dead soldier has come to the Wall to meet with thier loved one. like a gateway between the living and the dead. It really is a mirror, or portal, or passageway. Use the power of Photoshop to bring this passageway to life! #118006

Wolfgang Dolak May 26, 2019

Oh, boy. This is great. Sorry I missed it. But even if a little late - big congrats on this tell-tale image of yours. It really deserves to be here!!
birdie #118233

Gary H. Minish level-classic May 26, 2019

A powerful story and a powerful photo that captures the emotion of it. Very well thought out and created, Matthew! A very well deserved win. Congratulations! #118671

Dolores Neilson May 26, 2019

What an emotional piece, Matthew! A loving tribute to the many who sacrificed more than we can imagine. Your father is a hero...to have gone in the trenches of hell to give to his country and survived is heroism. What a beautiful, moving, poignant piece! Congratulations! #119637

Matthew Roybal May 26, 2019

Thanks Wolfgang, Gary, Dolores, Im very excited about this win. All of you are important members of this commmunity. Without feedback, and communication this community wouldnt be as healthy as it is.

Wolfgang? What does birdie mean? Is it some sort of "parting words"?
European? #120319

May 26, 2019

well matt, this is a very engaging photo. And it looks like you could place a beer on top of your father's head. #124704

Cathy M. Gromball May 26, 2019

Congratulations, Matthew!

Cathy :) #126385


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