Resting in Peace

[Donald]

A few days ago and in relation to my image here, I then went on to make a comment (in post #36 of that thread) about finding a good location and working with it from different angles, in different lights, at different times of year, etc, etc. Well, this is another example of that (which, incidentally, is only about 250m from the location in the above mentioned thread).

Some people may recall my images of our local cemetery (here and here).

Well, here it is again.

These images, I realise, are, somewhat unconsciously, all building in to be part of my long-wished for project of making a record of my community. I still haven't plucked up the courage to start involving people in the images. But I need to do that.

As always, anything you wish to say about this - good, bad, or indifferent- will be welcomed.

[Geoff F]

Works for me, Donald.

Those bales add just enough foreground interest without over powering the main subject; and the strong shadows, which could have been a problem, actually give a bit of a 3D effect.

[zen]

"These images, I realise, are, somewhat unconsciously, all building in to be part of my long-wished for project of making a record of my community. I still haven't plucked up the courage to start involving people in the images. But I need to do that."

Donald, there is a certain calmness and earthiness about villages or small towns that is, sadly, not present in the cities. This image, along with your others, evokes that calmness, some of which I can still recall from my childhood when visiting my Grandparents who lived at a small crossroads in eastern Pennsylvania. The village cemetery may be the only lasting record of the history of that community, and I understand your drive to record it for future generations. I seldom get back to that little crossroads, but each time I do, I stop by the cemetery to visit family and friends.

This image, like all your others, is superb. I wish I could do half as well. The sharpness is, of course, above reproach, and although I admire your images greatly, I wonder about how much of the sky is shown in this one. For example, what if you were to crop about 2/3ds of the sky off the top? To my eye, that would place more focus on the main subject, the cemetery itself, I believe. I can see it either way, and it is grand, indeed, either way.

Thank you for sharing your images with us, and yes, your village too.

Zen

[Mike Buckley]

This seems to be very different from your normal style -- a much more modern presentation of your primary subject.

I really like that the image shows the cemetery in the context of what goes on in the life of the community before people go to their graves. I would prefer a crop at the top just above the tree line so the trees take on the role of framing the scene more than being an important part of the scene.

I look forward to many reworkings of the cemetery from many angles and with many compositions.

[Donald]

Thank you for the comments so far.

This seems to be very different from your normal style -- a much more modern presentation of your primary subject.

Indeed, Mike. There is more contrast in this than is my norm. I suppose I keep telling myself that I mustn't get stuck in a rut and just keep working to the same formula. In some ways I think getting the 5DS has been a bit of a catalyst for making me think I've got to stretch myself a bit further. Not sure where that will go yet, but at least I'm aware of it and thinking about it.

[Shadowman]

This is more about the shapes, patterns, and tones than the capture of a final resting place, however there is still that bit of symbolism whether this is viewed as a cemetery or a planting field. Nicely captured.

[Dave Humphries]

I wonder about how much of the sky is shown in this one. For example, what if you were to crop about 2/3ds of the sky off the top? To my eye, that would place more focus on the main subject, the cemetery itself, I believe. I can see it either way, and it is grand, indeed, either way.

and

I would prefer a crop at the top just above the tree line so the trees take on the role of framing the scene more than being an important part of the scene.

... but then it wouldn't be square - and by definition, not by Donald

Please forgive my impudence Donald.

I can see what Zen and Mike mean, and it does place more emphasis on the graveyard itself, but to my mind, the extra sky ('negative space' to give it an artsy name), puts the graveyard in its proper geographical context for me - in the 'middle of nowhere'.

I didn't find 'increased contrast' an issue, in fact it is lighter in tone than much of your other work, even one of the others of this subject in, but that's more to do with the season portrayed, I suspect.

I like it, especially the new angle, Dave

[Mike Buckley]

it wouldn't be square - and by definition, not by Donald

Considering that Donald only uses two-thirds of his sensor, Canon should have sold the new camera to him at two-thirds the cost.

[Ziggy]

This one takes the eye and mind a little time to understand. I like that.

Very nice.

[rawill]

Well isn't this interesting.
I am liking the comments.

So, mine.
When I first looked at the image I did not try to take it all in, just had a quick glance and then went to the comments.
In my quick glance I was drawn to the cemetry.

When I read the comments I saw the comment on the hay bales, so went back.
I never noticed them the first time, as I said it was only a quick glance.
Then I read the comment on the sky, so I went back a 2nd time and saw the sky.
Never noticed it being big the first two times.

No I know this says more about my attention to detail, and me just having what is called "a boy look"

But just saying.
And this is not the first time this has happened.

Interesting where my eye was drawn, to the cemetry.
And for me even more so as I struggle to appreciate monotone

[Donald]

Considering that Donald only uses two-thirds of his sensor, Canon should have sold the new camera to him at two-thirds the cost.

Now, there's a man who talks sense! The lovely thing with the 5DS is that I'm still getting a raw file that is 5700+pixels along each edge.

Thank you everyone else for your comments. Robin - That's a great analysis of how you (others?) take in the information in an image. I agree. There are many times I've looked at images on here and then go back and see things that I didn't first, or even second, time around.

[JBW]

When you do your 'record' I hope you will include snippets along the line of 'how the gravestones came to be placed against the wall'?

One of the advantages you have is your love of your land and people. Your shots usually bring an ache in my soul for a life my grandparents left behind and I have spent much of my life trying to find.

My only advice is to neither rush nor fight the need.