Never Forget

Andy Mueller

Never Forget

A few days ago Shelly Hiebert asked for us to post a self-portrait, so that we can emerge from behind the camera and others can learn a little more about the shooter. Well, I learnt how incredibly difficult it is to take a decent self-portrait. I think I finally got one I don’t mind sharing, it depicts a day in my life that will haunt me forever.

Taken with Nikon D300, Sigma 28mm f/2.8 MF lens and SB800.

If you would like to participate in this challenge, please follow this link

Never Forget belongs to the following groups:

! 100% !, German Artists, Live, Love, Dream: , Military Related Art (Past or Present), Shades of Grey, Shameless Self-Promotion, United States, Virginia and War Available for sale as

Greeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints, Framed Prints and Posters

Never Forget by Andy Mueller
Never Forget by Andy Mueller
  • Maureen Maliha

    Maureen Maliha

    Wonderful work. No one should ever forget. Ever. But it appears so many have. Maybe this will help remind people. Thank you, Andy.

  • Andy Mueller replied

    No, thank you for commenting Maureen. Perhaps you’d like to join the challenge? I added the link to the description!

  • Lois  Bryan

    Lois Bryan

    Hi Andy … this is very moving … beautifully, beautifully done!!

  • Andy Mueller replied

    Thank you so much Lois, please join the fun and follow the link in the description for the challenge. It is amazing how hard it was for me to take one I was “ok” with. So weird to be in front of the camera ….

  • Kevin Bergen

    Kevin Bergen

    Andy, I like both the message AND the portrait here (but I’d like to see eyes in future shots!). :)
    I really like the mono color, the dof, and the graduated lighting. Nice job! (gee, I did agree to participate in this, didn’t I?)

  • Andy Mueller replied

    Kevin, yes you did agrree to do one as well! I was surprised how hard it is to do! Thank you so much for the kind words!

  • Joel Hall

    Joel Hall

    Dude, Andy, this is awesome. And where did you get that old calendar thing? And maybe because I’ve only seen you once with sunglasses on I don’t even recognize you, lol

  • Andy Mueller replied

    Joel, the Perpetual Calendar thing has a whole another meaing altogether. I found it while antiquing when I was doing Computer Consulting work for Rockwell Collins in Iowa. I set it to that date and it has not moved from it, neither will it ever. And that is me in the image, hehehehe!

  • Shelly Hiebert

    Shelly Hiebert

    Oh Andy…..this made me tear up instantly. This really is very moving and it is wonderful how you have incorporated different things that tell us a little bit more about you as a person. I agree that self portraits are very difficult. You are really laying it all out there for others to see and analyze and that is a bit scarey. I am so pleased you shared more of yourself with us. This, although a bit sad, is also very beautiful and moving. Thank you so much for participating….aren’t you glad you did? I know I am :)

  • Andy Mueller replied

    Indeed Shelly, I am very glad I participated! Thank you for being persistent. This image has so many meanings some hidden, some out in the open, and it really covers my character. I kept my eye hidden, like you I tend to be a bit on the shy side. Heck I may give this a go again sometime, it is really cool when my SP actually moves others and getting faves. (But then, i have faved other SP’s when they moved me in some way, so I guess I get that).

  • Can Berkol

    Can Berkol

    thumbs up!

  • Andy Mueller replied

    Thank you Can!

  • Andy Mueller replied

    Please consider doing one as well, and add it to Shelly’s Challenge (link in the description).

  • Clare Colins

    Clare Colins

    Nice shot…well done :)

  • Andy Mueller replied

    Thank you so much Clare, perhaps you would consider doing one as well, and add it to Shelly’s Challenge (link in the description).

  • Colleen Battistoni

    Colleen Battis...

    touching and so beautifully rendered, great work.

  • Andy Mueller replied

    Thank you Colleen, very nice comment, perhaps you would consider doing one as well, and add it to Shelly’s Challenge (link in the description).

  • Tracey Mac

    Tracey Mac

    Excellent self portrait, tribute, framing, focus, lighting and treatment Andy….......love this…....

  • Andy Mueller replied

    Thanks so much Tracey, perhaps you would consider doing one as well, and add it to Shelly’s Challenge (link in the description).

  • Denis Molodkin

    Denis Molodkin

    Stunning work, excellent composition, well done!

  • Andy Mueller replied

    Thank you so much Denis, perhaps you would consider doing one as well, and add it to Shelly’s Challenge (link in the description).

  • Rosemary Scott

    Rosemary Scott

    Well this is moving beyond belief!! Knowing that this was a SP my eye went straight to your face, then was drawn to the chess pieces, then settled on the calendar…..My heart lurched in my chest when I realized what I was looking at.
    Because I’m painfully introverted I try to show people a little of who I am in my SP’s & I find it almost like therapy…. it’s my voice…..
    I hope doing this has a positive effect on you also…. you’ve certainly touched me.

  • Andy Mueller replied

    Wow Rosemary, thank you so much for your kind words. And I have found it to be therapeutic of sorts (didn’t know I “needed” therapy). Initially I found it really hard to even take a SP, I guess I am more comfortable behing the viewfinder. There are a lot of meanings in my image, some hidden, others right out in the open. I LOVE how I managed to conceal my eye, although others would have liked to see it. I’m sure I will do another SP in the future. Would you consider adding one of yours in the Challenge? (link to it is in the description).

  • Scott  d'Almeida

    Scott d'Almeida

    outstanding

  • Andy Mueller replied

    Thank you Scott, perhaps you would consider doing one as well, and add it to Shelly’s Challenge (link in the description).

  • Ingz

    Ingz

    I think this is one of the most moving self portraits that I have ever seen, truly excellent. Its is so lovely to see how many people have really tried with Shellys little challenge, I understand how hard this must have been….it’s so much easier on the other side of the camera.

  • Andy Mueller replied

    Wow, what a strong comment, really appreciate it! Have you posted one for Shelly’s challenge? I really hope you would, like you I feel much more comfortable behind the camera, but I am so glad I did this.

  • Ingz

    Ingz

    I think everyone feels a kind of relief after doing a SP, something they thought they could never accomplish (well at least in my case)!

  • Andy Mueller replied

    You know, I think I have to say that is exactly how I feel.

  • Marvin Collins

    Marvin Collins

    Great portrait Andy, so well done!!

  • Andy Mueller replied

    Thanks a bunch, Marvin!

  • Pete Costick

    Pete Costick

    Superb work Andy, love how you combined your self portrait into such poignant image, making this so much more than just a pic of you. Great concept, carried through perfectly and processed so well too.

  • Andy Mueller replied

    Wow, thank you for those kind words, Pete! Very flattering!

  • Béla Török

    Béla Török

    Brilliant work, Andy!

  • Andy Mueller replied

    Thank you so much Bela

  • Rosemary Scott

    Rosemary Scott

    Already there Andy! Thanks for the suggestion though!

  • Andy Mueller replied

    Yes I noticed right after I left the comment! Fantastic, I’m glad you did one, it looks very nicely done!

  • Michael  Bermingham

    Michael Bermi...

    Brother, You have captured an impeccable SP.
    That date….That Damn Date…..
    I watched live on T.V as the second plane went in.
    The die was cast,
    No going back,
    The World had changed forever.

    This shot reaches me on a number of levels mate. I LOVE how the date thing looks as if its at the “King” position of the chess board. Surrounded on all sides by the Black Pawns of evil. But even yet, one lone white pawn has struck out for the enemy lines.

    Brilliant My Friend.

    Is that a small scar on your nose?
    :o)

  • Andy Mueller replied

    Shifty, I like how you are deeply reading into this image and all the hidden meanings, well done! I probably have more scars than you have zits on your but, hehehehe.

  • Von McKnelly

    Von McKnelly

    If I’m lost for words it’s because of the emotional impact I’ve gotten from the way you’ve set this SP up. Knowing you the way I do it comes as no surprise the amount of thought that went into it. I’m damn proud to know you Andy.

  • Andy Mueller replied

    Thank you so much Von, that is such a nice comment coming from someone I deeply respect! Some day we will meet I just know it!

  • Von McKnelly

    Von McKnelly

    Shifty…is that a small beak on your nose??? lol Sorry I couldn’t help myself.

  • Sara Wood

    Sara Wood

    Amazing shot… very powerful…

  • Andy Mueller replied

    Thank you so much Sara, perhaps you could add an SP into the Challenge as well?

  • Leslie Wood

    Leslie Wood

    I love this!! very moving. I really like how your face is slightly concealed and the tone really sets the mood of the shot!!

  • Andy Mueller replied

    Thank you Leslie! So you want to learn more about photography? For me taking an SP has been really hard, I learnt quite a bit. It would be cool if you added one as well (to the challenge).

  • Stuart Baxter

    Stuart Baxter

    incredibly presented my friend

  • Andy Mueller replied

    Thank you so much Stuart

  • Michael  Bermingham

    Michael Bermi...

    How do you know about my But Zits?????
    LMAO

  • Andy Mueller replied

    hehehehe Von might be the only guy that apparently does not have Butt Zits

  • Leslie Wood

    Leslie Wood

    Do my toes count as my sp??? LOL
    I have a hard time letting other people take photos of me. I have never photographed well so it’s hard to imagine doing a sp but I promise to try. :D

  • Andy Mueller replied

    Nope, toes don’t count my dear!

  • Michael E. Frye

    Michael E. Frye

    I have no words for how this image impacted me when I saw it. This is so very well done. Beautiful image and sentiment.

  • Andy Mueller replied

    Thank you so much Michael!

  • Charlie08

    Charlie08

    Shifty seems to have this pretty much figured out! Excellent SP Andy!!

  • Andy Mueller replied

    Thank you so much Charlotte! How are things? How is Hunter?

  • kimberleigh sarah

    kimberleigh sarah

    Just beautiful. And really powerful.

  • Andy Mueller replied

    Thank you Kimberleigh. Can’t believe that treadful day will be upon us soon again …

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