Tennessee Tent Graves

[Kris_Smith (Kristen M Smith)]

Critique Style Requested: Standard

The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.

Description

Eek! A recent comment on a shot from my Tennessee fall workshop reminded me that I hadn’t put up any photos of the tent graves we got to see up close. These odd little constructions are unique to rural Tennessee, but are not found everywhere. While we only stopped in this one cemetery, I did spot some in others as we drove around. If I lived there I’d definitely be documenting them regularly. When I lived in NH I spent a lot of time in old graveyards there, but here in WI none are old and none are that interesting so I don’t bother.

These though are interesting and distinctive, but I couldn’t find a reason for them in my research. The tilted stones don’t serve any purpose and many of them had no indication of who was buried there. Could be many reasons for that, but it was pretty consistent. One or two had collapsed completely as the ground shifted underneath by the action of many soaking rains. My guess is that someone did this out of whimsey or silliness, (kids maybe?) or perhaps to highlight a certain person and make the grave stand out, then it caught on in a limited way.

Specific Feedback

I almost didn’t bother with these at all because the backgrounds were very hard to work with and the light was harsh. But it wasn’t like I’d be there again, so I decided to try to make the hard shadows work. Did I succeed? I tried a lot of different heights and angles, too, but these worked the best. Thoughts of how you’d have gone about it?

Technical Details

Handheld

Lr for basic processing, mostly to control that big dynamic range and the color values/white balance. Nothing too drastic. Brought up quite a bit of texture, too, since I thought that was an important element and one that the direct side light brought up so prominently. Some cropping for balance.

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[Dennis_Plank]

I think you handled the harsh light very well, Kris. The angle on the first image turns the graves themselves into leading lines and sets the image up for some nice triangular shapes. The second image with the graves and the standing slabs (they look more recent to me) creates some very interesting patterns of light and dark.

Looking at those graves in the second image, I hope you took time to do some closer shots of those lovely lichen patterns.

[Jim_Gavin]

I am with @Dennis_Plank on his comments, especially re: lichen. There is a bit of information under “comb grave markers” about this style of marker.

[Diane_Miller]

A new thing to me, and quite interesting. I think the harsh light works here. I’m sure I would have given up trying to shoot this scene.

It may say something about my subconscious that I shouldn’t reveal – but in the first one I see shoes sticking out the end! (Inexpensive interment??)

[glennie (Glenys Passier)]

These images are really intriguing Kris. You’ve captured them very well even though you had tricky backgrounds. The subject is so interesting you hardly need a background. I can only imagine the weight of these stones. It would be a mammoth task to bury someone!

[Tom_Nevesely]

Interesting! I’ve never seen anything like this, and I think you did a fine job documenting something unique to the area – I’m getting a National Geo kind of vibe to these. Nicely done.

[Bonnie_Lampley]

How interesting! Your second, wider shot, is super because it has the context of the other grave markers. The light is fine, and, in fact, is quite lovely in the second one, with the way it lights up those tall headstones.