Kathy Buckard
July 2026 - IN MEMORY
About the Image(s)
This photograph was taken in Ybor City, Florida, during a Scott Kelby Worldwide Photo Walk in October of 2024. We look forward to participating each year because these walks introduce us to unique locations and perspectives, we might not otherwise experience. Ybor City's vibrant character and artistic atmosphere make it an inspiring place to photograph. For this image, I wanted to create something more meaningful, so I used a double-exposure technique to blend the American flag with the World Trade Center memorial. The result is a tribute to the patriotism, sacrifice, and resilience of our fellow Americans, honoring the memories of those affected while celebrating the enduring spirit of our nation.
Nikon D500, ISO-100, 1/640. F8 Focal Length 58 Lens Nikkor 18-200.
13 comments posted
Hi Kathy,
I applaud your patriotism in recognizing America's 250th anniversary, and I admire your creativity in experimenting with new techniques.
I'm having a little trouble understanding how the three images connect to tell your story. If you're willing, could you show us the original images as well? I'd be interested in seeing how they evolved.
Were any of the double exposures created in-camera, or were they all blended during post-processing? Did you apply the same settings to all three images? Also, did you process them in Adobe, or did you use another program? I'd enjoy hearing more about your workflow.
Ybor City is less than two hours from my late parents home in Sebring. Posted: 07/13/2026 23:09:35
I applaud your patriotism in recognizing America's 250th anniversary, and I admire your creativity in experimenting with new techniques.
I'm having a little trouble understanding how the three images connect to tell your story. If you're willing, could you show us the original images as well? I'd be interested in seeing how they evolved.
Were any of the double exposures created in-camera, or were they all blended during post-processing? Did you apply the same settings to all three images? Also, did you process them in Adobe, or did you use another program? I'd enjoy hearing more about your workflow.
Ybor City is less than two hours from my late parents home in Sebring. Posted: 07/13/2026 23:09:35
Hi Bob, not sure why you think this double exposure is three images. It is only two which I took in the camera. Do have individual images too but do not know how to put them together. While I was at the site, I tried the double exposure feature on the camera thinking the flag over the image would make it more patriotic. Posted: 07/14/2026 17:57:00
Sorry, Kathy. I didn't realize the WTC Memorial I'd heard about in New York City was different from the WTC Stainless Steel Survivors Memorial 2 in Florida. I just didn't catch that from the write-up. Chalk it up to my lack of knowledge... or maybe my age... or my smarts!
I thought you had combined images of the WTC Memorial, the Ybor City walk, and the flag into one composite, so I was confused about how they fit together. Now that I understand they were all connected to the Florida memorial, it makes perfect sense. Posted: 07/15/2026 00:41:10
I thought you had combined images of the WTC Memorial, the Ybor City walk, and the flag into one composite, so I was confused about how they fit together. Now that I understand they were all connected to the Florida memorial, it makes perfect sense. Posted: 07/15/2026 00:41:10
Posted: 07/14/2026 17:58:02
I wish that I could add your flag and also the WTC 2 image as originals, but I haven't had any luck doing that in the past. If you are interested in compositing, let me know. Posted: 07/15/2026 00:54:06
Hi Kathy, I think this is an interesting image and I did not over think it. Nice work with the double exposure. Posted: 07/14/2026 22:50:11
This is a difficult one for me. The idea and execution I think work, but my brain is having fits as I look at it. I wonder if the flag was flipped the other way if it would make me feel better.
This is by no means a negative critique, I like the idea and the execution.
I did flip the image in photoshop, then had to get the words going in the right direction. Some how it ended up in black and white too. I do not know why it did that, I would preferred it in color. This was a quick try to see if the flag made a difference to me or not. Posted: 07/16/2026 01:45:28
This is by no means a negative critique, I like the idea and the execution.
I did flip the image in photoshop, then had to get the words going in the right direction. Some how it ended up in black and white too. I do not know why it did that, I would preferred it in color. This was a quick try to see if the flag made a difference to me or not. Posted: 07/16/2026 01:45:28
I wish I had thought to reverse the image. I think what you did helps hold your interest in the photo, as we do read from left to right. Thanks! Posted: 07/16/2026 16:09:25
I flipped it too, Joel in my latest comment. I kept it in color. Posted: 07/16/2026 22:04:12
Wonderful idea for your image, especially this year. I do like the flag the way Joel placed it. I always wanted to see Ybor City, but we never made it there on our Florida trips. It is nice there are so many 9/11 memorials. I have seen the Pentagon and Flight 93 and they are quite different. Posted: 07/16/2026 13:47:11
Hi Kathy, I have some time today, and decided to add a composite with all the group's suggestions. I am using the two images that you supplied for the composite. I opened them in Photoshop. I selected the flag in its image then copied it onto a new layer. Dragged layer onto the walk image (background) and released my mouse when I had it centered. I transformed it to make the size and location fit in the image, then did some distraction removal on the background. Takes a bit of time, but it is usually worth it. The secret to composites is putting elements on their own layers and using blending modes for the effect you want. The sky color is pretty unique to Florida, I think. Posted: 07/16/2026 22:01:08
Bob, I love what you did to the image. Like it so much better than mine! Have not made a composite with two images, only in the camera. You have inspired me to give this a try sometime in the future! Posted: 07/16/2026 22:31:15
Thanks, Kathy. Glad you liked it. Posted: 07/16/2026 22:35:53