Hope and Fraternity, a photo from Basse-Normandie, North

Photographer's Note

It's 6 June, D-Day, 2012.

In the previous two years I tried to remember to upload this photo on the 6 June, or D-Day; I took it in 2009. At last I have remembered. Keeping a photo aside for three years might be a little like keeping a bottle of wine, although I doubt if a digital photo either improves or deteriorates with age.

I searched on TE for other photos of the D-Day memorial but could find only a single shot of the sculpture. My photo shows what may seem a strange juxtaposition: a stark memorial in stone, and a young couple straight from a wedding celebration. Perhaps the flowers help to join the two ideas of commemoration and celebration.

I arrived at Omaha beach a couple of weeks after the ceremonies marking the 65th anniversary (I believe President Obama and other leaders were present), to find a large wedding party milling around the memorial column (incidentally, the photo shows only the bottom half of the memorial). After a few minutes the sun broke through and a couple who looked like the bridesmaid and best man moved away to enjoy some private moments as I was taking my photographs.

The sail-like or wing-like structures beside them and to the right of the column stand on the beach itself, and are covered by water at high tide. They were commissioned by the French Government to mark the 60th anniversary of D-Day in 2004, and were sculpted in stainless steel by Anilore Banon. They were intended to be temmporary, but in response to a petition it was decided to leave them where they are; they seem to have resisted well all that the sea and sky can hurl at them. The winged shapes represent the wings of hope, and of fraternity, and, hidden by the memorial, two vertical columns represent the rise of freedom. The flowers and flags at the base of the memorial might have lain there since the commemorative ceremony on the 6 June.

I've settled on St-Laurent-sur-Mer as the location for this photo; most of the shots of the beach in TE have 'Omaha Beach' as the location, and not once before has a photo specifying its location as the nearest village, St-Laurent - only a few hundred metres away - appeared on this site.

jhm, KLB, Kofman, tyro, adores, Kielia, Budapestman, lakshmip1949, jlbrthnn, holmertz, madhumita_roy86, ourania, Royaldevon, pajaran, ChrisJ, baddori has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

jhm (211734) 2012-06-06 4:43

Hello Andrew,

Juny 1944, the day that our liberators came out of the sea.
I live in Flemish Belgium, we are liberated September 1941.13. through the Canadians.
I hope that a lot people these victims bring a salut, I bring every year a visit to a lot militair cemeteries here in Flemish Belgium but also in Wallonia the area of Ardennes where a lot Americans soldiers are killed very far of their home.
Lovely clear colors, good light management.
Good composition, nice captured, TFS.

Nice day,
John.

KLB (23723) 2012-06-06 4:55

Hello Andrew

I'm very glad that our two pictures are side by side on the gallery... Omaha beach and the American cemetery are sadly inseparable.

I really like your framing, focused on the message, and included the young couple. For these reasons that the soldiers fought : enjoyment, happiness, Life !
A great tribute, thanks.

Regards
Karine

(Very touched to know that your father fought in France...)

tyro (30513) 2012-06-06 16:39

Hello Andrew,

What a very fitting photograph for today, sixty-eight years after the D-Day landings. And what a very interesting note you have given us. And how noble to hang onto this picture for three years before posting it on the exactly correct day!

A very well composed photograph, the stark stone memorial and the modern steel sculpture both well placed in the frame. The young couple to the left might seem a little incongruous but certainly add some colourful interest as do the flowers at the base of the monument.

An excellent photograph and note which, surprisingly, have not attracted more attention than they have. Perhaps it is only us oldies who take an interest in such matters. In a similar vein, I note that there's not been a single photograph on TE of the recent Diamond Jubilee celebrations in the U.K. - very strange.

Thank you for sharing this and for having such patience in waiting to upload it!

Kind Regards,

John.

adores (46979) 2012-06-06 17:13

Hi Andrew!
A good shot to celebrate the date! You're right, this monument is practically unknown here. The link gives a good idea of the other monument in background and your composition is very good. Your captured both monuments and the young couple. Light was also very good!

Nard (6972) 2012-06-07 4:42

Hi Andrew
Interresting and nice picture well framed. I like the split of the picture with the people on the left and the sculpture like sailing boat. Good light and sharpness.
Regards
Bernard

Kielia (24077) 2012-06-07 5:51

Hello Andrew,
as a member of the nation that caused the two world wars I appreciate this photo and the hidden agenda behind it! You have chosen a very appropriate title. My compliments for this very well composed photo and the outstanding note.
Warm regards
Harriet

alpi1500 (1520) 2012-06-07 7:28

Hi
Nice POV and great cotrast.I'm sorry because my daily limit is full so ı can't give mark.

Budapestman (82620) 2012-06-07 14:02

Hi Andrew,
a superb photo of this dramatic place, the composition is very attractive, great details and POV, beautiful photo work of this famous historical place, Tfs! Have a nice week! Kellemes hetet kнvбnok!
Gyцrgy

lakshmip1949 (19081) 2012-06-07 18:45

Hello Andrew,

A nice image to celebrated the D-Day. Your note tell all about the place and the allied invasion. I like the way you have split the couple and the sculpture placing the monument in between. The colors are very natural and the atmosphere is very peaceful.

Lakshmi

jlbrthnn (76043) 2012-06-10 5:25

Hi Andrew,
A beautiful image that symbolizes the reconstruction of the future of people and goods, after easing the madness of war. The other photo is very beautiful and interesting too. Excellent light and sharpness. Bravo.
Have a nice day
Cordially
Joлl

lousat (138521) 2012-06-19 2:32

Hi Andrew,it's really a fantastic composition!How you play well whit the perspective to create a very rich and nice pic,magnficent details everywhere and excellent management of the different light levels,i like it...a lot! Have a nice day and thanks,Luciano

holmertz (101880) 2012-06-19 5:48

Hello Andrew,
A well structured composition with aesthetic qualities and a deeper meaning. White sails to the right and a white dress to the left, symbolizing the past and the present, dark days and hopes for a bright future. Crystal clear and well exposed.
Kind regards,
Gert

madhumita_roy86 (2344) 2012-06-19 11:10

Hello Andrew,
beautiful shot....good note...
very good concept... nice framing...
very sharp & good colours...
Tfs! regards,
Madhumita.

ourania (51103) 2012-06-19 12:03

Hello Andrew,
I like very much this picture, its composition, the light that gives it a calm and pleasant glow, the way it is accompanied by a lovely and interesting note. The lighting enhances the impact of the engraved sign that in a few words summarizes the most formidable events that took place on that shore on D-Day. The shadow is very suggestive. On the other side, the relaxed people sharing moments of a happy occasion in the sunshine contrast the dramatic and agonizing scenes the sign evokes. A wonderfully and subtly eloquent picture (maybe) about the lapse of time and the measure of human deeds. Congratulations and thank you!
All the best, have a great day,
Ourania

mvdisco (17798) 2012-06-19 16:48

Hi Andrew,
Very nice composition and dedicate of the D-Day,
Nice colors and presentation,
nicely done with a wedding ..
compliments
Michel

Royaldevon (85576) 2012-06-20 2:01

Nice to see you posting again, Andrew.
I missed this; must have been away at the time!

You have done well to remember to post this after such a long time. I find it moving and very symbolic - life still goes on: flowers for remembrance, flowers for the beginning of a new love.
It is a very well composed shot, moving in three phases. It is sharp with fine details and very well presented.

Can we see you posting more often?
Have a lovely day,
Bev :-)

pajaran (114781) 2012-06-29 23:02

Dobar dan.
Vrlo interesantan i dobar tekst o mestu i trenutku, sa datim podacima ...
Lep pogled na spomenik i mladi bracni par koji se vencao.
Dobra ostrina snimka, kontrast i perspektiva, lepe boje i secanje.
Dobar rad i kompozicija, moje cestitke.
Imajte lep dan, sve najbolje.
Srecno.
Paja.

Google.

Good afternoon.
Very interesting and good article on the place and time, with the given data ...
Nice view of the monument and a young couple who were married.
Good image sharpness, contrast and perspective, beautiful colors and memories.
Good work and composition, my congratulations.
Have a nice day, all the best.
Good luck.
Paja.

jaywalker (16105) 2012-07-04 12:43

Hi Andrew, Sometimes it is not the composition, the colour or overall quality, sometimes it's whats in the photo & the story it tells, a very powerful picture, kind regards Wilson.

ChrisJ (171146) 2012-07-10 5:20

Hi Andrew

An apt upload for D Day, & a nice response from JHM. In fact, most of Western Europe is very greatful for the sacrifices made by Allied soldiers in both WWI & WWII, including Australians, alongside the Americans, Canadians, Kiwis, & British. It's good you've loaded this on the memorial day too. Good sharpness & the wreathes add a splash of colour. Excellent textural details & lighting on the stone face. Tfs!

baddori (20341) 2012-08-15 8:43

Andrew
The commemoration and two years for the landing.
Many Australians and un'atra celebration (the ANZAC Day)
The complex celabrativo and war cemeteries.
The memory and history.
Excellent presentazone and
Congratulations for sharing.
GF

Photo Information

Copyright: Andrew McRae (macondo) (20449)
Genre: МЕСТА
Medium: ЦВЕТНОЙ
Date Taken: 2009-06-20
Categories: ЦЕРЕМОНИЯ, СОБЫТИЕ
Camera: Pentax K200D, Tamron 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DiII, Cokin 62mm Circular Polarizer
Exposure: f/8, 1/250 секунд
More Photo Info: view
Map: view
Версия: Оригинальная версия
Date Submitted: 2012-06-06 4:21