Courtesy Photo | In this photo manipulation by U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Robert Johnson, a Warrior Alpha...... read more read more
BAGRAM, Afghanistan – During a deployment, soldiers may feel like their lives are on hold; isolated from loved ones for nearly 12 months, they eagerly wait to return home and resume their lives. But deployments can also provide an opportunity for growth and the discovery of new interests.
“It doesn’t matter if you're a soldier out patrolling or a soldier sitting in an office, the mind needs an outlet to stay healthy,” said U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Robert Johnson, a standardization operator for the Alpha Warrior unmanned aerial vehicle with Company A, Task Force ODIN-A, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, TF Falcon. “When we’re not flying, everybody’s just doing their own hobbies. Some guys play [video games]; I do photography.”
The Oklahoma City native began photography not only to relieve stress during his deployment, but to preserve memories and to prepare for a post-retirement career.
In August 2010, around the beginning of his current deployment, Johnson experimented with a photo editing computer program which allows users to manipulate and enhance images. An average photographer, Johnson found he could enhance his photos to make them look very good.
“Once he realized that the quality of a photo or image drives the time needed to fix it, he looked into better quality cameras and then it was on,” said U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael Diets, a platoon sergeant with TF ODIN-A, and a native of Baltimore.
Johnson says it was the ability to hold onto memories that created a strong desire to learn all he could about photography and to acquire the best equipment he could afford.
“I have so many good memories but not many photos to show for them,” said Johnson, who currently resides in Sierra Vista, Ariz., with his wife and daughters.
Johnson said he’s looked at photos of his family and friends and isn’t impressed with the quality. He’s seen photos of friends who’ve paid a lot of money to have them done professionally and he’s confident he can do as well for much less.
“There are certain techniques that bring out the best in a photo subject; positioning, colors and lighting can all be used to make people look their best,” Johnson said. “In addition, digital enhancements can whiten teeth, smooth out skin and remove blemishes.”
During his two-week mid-tour leave, Johnson said he invested in lighting and background drops so he could begin taking portrait photos in his home. He’s considering starting a portrait photography business out of his home after he retires in about three years.
Meanwhile, due to a limited amount of subjects to photograph here at Bagram Air Field, Johnson said he also experiments with manipulating photos, which he describes as taking a photo and either adding an object that wasn’t there or removing objects.
In one of his photo manipulations, Johnson enlarged an image of the moon he had taken and placed an image he took of an Alpha Warrior unmanned aerial vehicle in front of the moon.
“How lucky would I be to just happen to be pointing the camera at the moon and then one of my Warriors flies in front of it?” he asked. “I do these photos for fun -- to spark people’s imagination.”
Johnson has produced company posters and mementos for his colleagues. According to Diets, Johnson’s photography has contributed to the morale of the unit.
“Everyone stops and comments on the quality of his work,” said Diets. “He has done photos of the promotion ceremonies for the sergeants and staff sergeants, made a collage for each one and printed them on photo quality paper for them.”
During previous deployments, Johnson spent his down time in the gym, working to improve his fitness. On this deployment, the ability to hold on to memories – for himself, and for others – through photography, became his passion; one that he intends to continue to build on.
“The older I get the more I start to appreciate the world around me and what it has to offer,” said Johnson. “When I see something I enjoy, I like to take a photo and share that experience with others.”
| Date Taken: | 05.23.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 05.24.2011 19:56 |
| Story ID: | 70998 |
| Location: | BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AF |
| Web Views: | 273 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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