Wikipedia:Featured picture candidates/Kamikaze Zero

Kamikaze Zero

Japanese Mitsubishi Zero ready to strike the USS Missouri in a kamikaze attack. Circa 1942.

Reasons for my nomination:

Photo significantly adds to the historicalness and encyclopedic value of the following articles: USS Missouri (BB-63), Mitsubishi A6M Zero, World War II aircraft, and kamikaze
Article shows the emotion of the crew prior to the attack.
Historically, a limited number of photos are in existence that portray a kamikaze attack on a US Naval vessel.
Unique, historical photo depicting the realities of war.
Photo illustrates the subject (the vessel, airplane, and crew of the USS Missouri).
The quality and size of the photo is not up to standard; however, given the age of the photo, it is exempt from these requirements. May not necessary be aesthetically-pleasing (given the age), but it significantly adds to the article and is of historical importance.

Nominate and support. - Rangermike 02:15, 26 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]
Comment. Is it possible to (carefully) crop the right side of the image, devoiding it of that distracting section? -- AJ24 02:25, 26 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

I must admit that I'm a noob when it comes to wiki and croping/editing photos, so if someone does not mind doing a little editing...? However, put your self in the shoes of the sailor: you spot an incoming Zero. In a split second you snap a photo, right before impact. To me, the mast of the Missouri being in the photo (while some might consider distracting) adds to the historical and emotional nature of the photo. -Rangermike 02:58, 26 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Im sorry, but im scrutinizing the image, not the author or the situation depicted in the photograph. The far right side of the image is distracting from the incoming kamikaze. Of course, we automatically assume that the situation in the image was emotional and obviously historical, but that should not interfere with judging the image's quality and distraction. -- AJ24 23:27, 26 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Oppose. I don't see the emotion. May be it is because of the low resolution... --Dschwen 02:25, 26 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

The crew of the Missouri are peering over their turrets, pointing towards the incoming aircraft, and bracing themselves for the violent impact. Others are scanning the skies for approaching enemy _targets. Imagine what’s going through the head of the Zero pilot? This type of raw footage is seldom captured. Not seeing the emotion should not be the sole basis for opposition. -Rangermike 02:58, 26 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

You are right, there is also the low resolution and bad composition. Actually I didn't even see the plane at first glance. Sorry, it might be a rare occasion depicted in the shot, but the picture quality is way too low to consider it to be among Wikipedia's best images. --Dschwen 03:30, 26 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Weak oppose. The Zero blends in too much. Took me a while to find it. Quality is not entirely disregarded when looking at a historical photo, the rules are just relaxed. I would advise cropping it to remove the empty space. Although that cropping would improve it, I could not support cause I can barely see the Zero. say1988 15:34, 26 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]
Support I like this photo. TomStar81 02:37, 30 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Not promoted Thygard - Talk - Contribs - Email ---- 04:34, 2 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

INCREDIBLE**!! Zero blending in gives it it's appeal and shock value.....photo demonstrates casual observer in non-casual situation. Why crop, why do anything? Criticisms are way off....this photo is an award winner.