"The Retreat Salute" was taken at five o'clock in the evening at the Magic Kingdom in the Walt Disney World Resort, Orlando, Florida. Every evening in the park, cast members bring down the American flag and, earlier in the day, one US military veteran is selected to be a part of the ceremony and receive the flag. On the day this photo was taken, it was a crystal clear and cool day in Florida. For a rare moment in time, Autumn had finally arrived and I couldn't wait to take advantage of such a gem. The seasonal decorations, along with the crisp weather, inspired me to go out and people watch, never forgetting my camera, of course. This photo was taken from the second floor of the train station on Main Street where I had taken photos from the start of the ceremony to the end, but this one stood out among all the others. What I love about this image is that it showcases a veteran who is saluting (pictured in the bottom left in the orange shirt), it has an excellent view of the flag as the folding begins, and it has an overall feel of old Americana.
This photo was taken at 250mm and has strong composition which adds to the story of the image. The flag is right in the center of the frame and lines up extremely well for the "rule of thirds" (see my previous post on "Canopy Storm" for an explanation). An honor guard cast member folding the flag is a perfect point of interest that draws the eye away from the center frame. The precision required to carry out this ceremony and the fact that it is done to honor the men and women who are in the armed services is astounding and made for, in my opinion, an excellent capture.
What are your thoughts on the image? What story do you see? Please comment below.
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