rofel muahaha omfneg arg the girl is very nice, the flag suxx (I like Americans as much as people from all other countries and the people from my country, but I hate patriotism and especially nationalism!) Well, hope you don't like George double war Bush and his politic. The picture quality is 3x<3113n7, but I don't rank because of the flag ;/ Peace!

Nice one! Nice sentiment.

Good job! Remeber we are all brotha&sista. Peace. I love the pose and the light + some blur fx. She's american or she's from anothe country... that the question with top-model of today :-)

I too am proud to be an American. Good work!

Good job on the flag. Seeing our flag makes me proud too. :)

I'm amazed when people start 'Yank Bashing'. Screaming 'Americans don't like Arabs, they dont like the French, they don't like these people or those people, that religion or this'. What they all need to realise is America is made and built by immigrants from one country or another, from every religion. It is possibly the most cosmopolitan country in the world. They should be proud, they worked for it. God bless us all. JW (UK)

Political statements aside, the flag is nicely done from a technical and artistic standpoint. Its motion and texturing adds to the shot.

I love the image from an artistic standpoint, very good job! As far as patriotism goes, and the "United" States of America, I don't think we are united anymore in too very many ways, so the flag does not hold much for me in the way of symbolism.

Who cares about who is offended by courage, decency, and the arch-protectors of the Free World? God Bless America.

Nicely done. GREAT sentiment.

HA HA HA, american patrionisam hmmm how conviniant let sell weapons to iran and iraq then lets call xfriends enamis and do bomb them, after that lets go and kill kid and civilians and call that coleteral demage and on top of that brcause our economy sucks we make teroris from no where and lets make some more war for oil, uranium, titanium and make our country be next hitlers germany, o and just for heck to let you know bushes gramps worked all secend war with nazis it is in goverment files and then we make flag and go aranud the world and who ever we do not like we kill and say there were terorists or coletrral dameg, nice statment for US of nazi and plutocratic and terorist nation and iterantional police, My GOD help all world when idiots and terorist tun the country, peace and live free.

Patriotism and Nationalism is what makes a country great. If we are not United it is because so many so called Americans are no longer patriotic. The United States is the greatest country in the world today. We are the most powerful nation the world has ever seen. Our diverse population and dedication to free enterprise make it so. It's only natural that some hate us mostly out of envy. Capitalism is not a bad thing. Protecting ourselves from vicious terrorists and petty dictators is not only our right but our responsibility. Those of you who are not patriots should be ashamed to call yourselves Americans. This country was built with the blood of patriots. I am a patriot and a veteran of many police actions. I'm not a baby killer, murderer, or any of the other crap some of you call soldiers. I had friends who DIED for this country. You don't like it. Leave or run for office and change it!

Beautifully done, darkwhispers, most excellent! It's a shame some folks couldn't view this for the artistic piece it is but instead choose to voice their political opinions all over it. This image certainly did not deserve this. And they should use a spell check if they are going to spew forth their rantings against America.

If being proud of being a U.S. citizen offends someone then its time we fucking offend someone .Excellent look here, great colors, terrific work with the flag, keep it up this is great work.

I think it's a sad statement that you felt you needed to apologize pre-emptively for showing pride in your country. That gives all the little America bashers far to much credit and power. When the rest of the world decides to own up to the 6000 years of war, rape, murder, slavery, and generally crappy treatment of anyone not from the same socio-economic-political-religious background as their ancestors; then I'll stand up and apologize for the mistakes our country has made in it's 227 years of existence. Til then they can kiss my proud American arse.

Excellent work and comments!

Great Job I salute you

agree with your sentiments... average people should not be confused with the politicians that corrupt a country. Folks, calm down. :) I feel much the same way. I'm embarrassed of the leadership of both the country I live and the country I was born... lol. I believe in the values of the constitution and am fully convinced many of our most powerful politicians are fully ignorant of both the values it stands for and the blood that was shed to win them. Stand up for your values, this is a good thing. More should do this. And your rendering is beautiful. :)

Excellent work! Good for you. This is very well done!

This country was Born out of patriotism. An inspiring work... from another "proud american" ;)

darkwhispers, I appreciate your words about your picture. I don't read them as an apology, rather a forethought and taking an actual stand for.. empathy, really. We all know these are strange days. I like the overall brown shades and the dirt look on the flag, the burnt-out whites makes it look overexposed in a good way. But I'm wondering about the blur effect. Considering how a camera works, I think either the woman or the flag should be in focus. Now both are sharp, as if they were two different pictures shot with different focus length. But you'll work it out! And as for all the yelling here from both sides... I just smirk and hold my piece.

I too am proud to be an American. In fact, I can't think of any other country where I'd rather live. America may make mistakes, throughout history, but at least here we still have the freedom of dissent, self-expression and life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Chelle... Excellent render. No hard feelings here, I'm an American living in Canada(My wife is Canadian). In some ways I miss My homeland, My family is there... the ones left, but in other ways, I'm glad I'm here... I have a new family, & I don't have to worry about being shot @ a stoplight. I don't agree with the Iraqi invasion... IMO, it shouldn't be happening... he should have been nuetralized our 1st trip over there. But, thats My opinion. Again, excellent image, keep up the awesome work :o) Thomas

I think its a beautiful image. We Americans should be proud of our heritage and ashamed of our supreme court and current imperialist president. Most Americans are good, decent hard working people who are not rich and arrogant. Your image is very well done, Keep it up!

"Nothing like an itch to get people to scratch...Lotta scratchin goin here"! I think I'll scratch a little too...Nice image, I see the flag as a symbol of Freedom & Liberty worthy of defense & preservation, for all people!

America is an ideal, a work in process. We are at a very bad patch right now, but have weathered and grown from past problems. For me, the flag is the reminder of our ideal. That it is tattered doesn't mean it has no value. In times like 9/11, it symbolically lifted us. Our ideals are still here even with the loss.Part of the strife in this county now is how do you keep your ideal and defend yourself. The American people don't want to march into battle for the heck of it. Look at the poll numbers. But the Americans like any other people don't take kindly to attacks on it's homeland. We have yet to see if the president gets away with this new war and whether it is called for. In the meantime, I think there is alot of soul searching going on in America.

Speaking as a former active-duty US Marine, nobody I knew joined the military to kill. They joined to serve their country - not the government, but the people they love and the way of life they have known. Americans and the American Government should never be confused. I applaud your love of country, DW, and salute the flag you wave. On the other hand, the person who called anyone not patriotic names and said they should be shot is as grievously mistaken as the poster previous who insulted Americans. There is a saying "I may not agree with what you say, but i will defend with my life your right to say it." So may it be, that we all become that willing.