I've held onto this photo for a very very long time. It has always been my favourite, and the one that absolutley breaks my heart. It was taken in 2002 in St. Petersburg during the May Day celebration, where Russians come out in hordes to celebrate their defeat of Germany. Surviving soldiers done their uniforms and medalsm get tears in their eyes at a mere glimpse of a Russian flag and walk through the street where children give them flowers. It was one of the most moving and emotional public celebrations I'd ever expreienced, and I unfortunately only had my 3mp Sony Cybershot on me.

I got this photo shooting from the hip and absolutley treasured it, but it suffers from oversaturation, halos, jpegs artifacts and no amount of photoshop work in 5 years has been able to save it.

This treatment was an attempt to capture the toy camera approach, but with a little less noise and vignetting.

Here is the photo SOOC. I invite anyone to take it suggest some way I can save it. Please help me.

First, composition: I would crop just below his right hand holding the flowers and just a little tighter above his head. I believe this would really draw you to his face more.
Second, B&W/sepia vs. color: before I looked at you link, I really liked the conversion for this image, but... The colors in the medals and the flowers are great and may be a compelling reason to work up a nice color version to compare...
Either way try the cropping change and see if you like it

Wonderful shot.
I could tell by the medals that this man has served his country and done so well.
This is a very compelling image with the flowers adding a bit of question of why.
After reading your comment, my conclusions are correct!

Im sure this man has thousands of stories he could tell. Great capture

very moving shot, so much emotion.. it's like he is dreaming away.. thinking of the past.. bad moments but also good ones..

like it very much :)

btw.. how are you doing my friend?

mizztech: far too busy... :) I find all my evenings spent on my computer in PS these days and I get nothing done. How are you?

dreamer: thanks!!!! I'm honoured!

beamer: You're right. Looking back at the photo now, I see what you mean about the flowers and the medals. I needed a fresh perspective on this. Selective saturation maybe?