This is an alternative to path one - gravestones look less like posts but I don’t like it so much from the path point of view - I think the path is too straight … and its never straight is it!!!
Hi Huw,
Infrared photography always looks a little ghostly to me, cemetery or not. These are no exception. The two are so different despite the location and similar technique. This would make a fantastic project.
What strikes me in the first image is the chaos of it, the way that nature has taken over despite the human monuments to a life lived and lost. The vines, the path that is not quite a path anymore. All of it says time has passed, these people may no longer have relatives who visit or care for their final resting place.
The second one feels very different. There are so many hard surfaces intruding into the scene from different angles, and between those three big markers and the cross in the distance, we are not surprised to find a bench and someone sitting there. The whole thing feels like a compressed staging of our fascination with life, death, culture, the cross. And in case we forget, there are two completely engulfed obelisk markers near the human figure. It’s coming for all of us.
More analysis and interpretation than critique here. No suggestions. Thanks for sharing this one.
ML
Nice. Funny. When I looked at the thumbnail, I thought of Simon Marsden. His work was amazing. I have a book or two of it and the moods and atmosphere he produced was off the charts. I think you’ve paid him good homage.
Wow, these are really cool. As you wrote, I really think the IR enhances the story, the narrative. Actually to the point of adding mystery and certain intrigue.
The first one doesn’t immediately come through - and I believe that until you see the writing on the headstone on the far left, I wasn’t thinking a cemetary. The rest of the headstones just become posts, until you figure it out.
The second image is outstanding! The IR capture really gives this an other-worldy look with tons of mystery; even fantasy.
I didn’t see the person sitting on the bench until after I read your comment and went back. Wow, that presence kicks this one to another level. Reading, contemplating… meditating… any of those things. I doubt seriously he’s visiting the grave of an immediate family member…
These are wonderful!! There is something so spiritual about overgrown cemeteries – life going on even if in a different form. Your compositions here are gorgeous and IR is the perfect medium! (Pun sort of intended…)
I’m curious about one detail in the first – you have a very narrow vignette and it’s giving me a sort of puzzled feeling that I can’t explain, as I would expect a softer, wider one, maybe to focus my vision down the very inviting (and slightly mysterious) path. I love the way the vines are draping and climbing!
Huw: So incredibly cool. The subject is so interesting and the IR really brings it out. I find cemeteries intriguing and your imaging makes it even more so. Really well done.>=))>
These are so cool. A lot of people think of graveyards as spooky and other worldly and IMO the IR only reinforces that mood. I really like the sitting figure in the second image as it adds a touch of reality to the scene. I also think the graveyard being so overgrown adds to the mood as well. Beautifully done; no suggestions from me.
IR is a bit polarizing, and I typically find myself in the less attracted camp. Because of that, I’m pleasantly surprised how enchanting your second image is. It drips with emotion. The dark headstones, the overgrown vegetation, and the perfect placement of the contemplative person is a home run.
I’m not a massive fan either - but its in my toolkit and I wouldn’t be without my full spectrum IR camera.
It does change the greens to very bright white - but its great for macro and scenes that are overgrown specifically because it does look unreal and other-worldly.
It seemed spot on for this theme and narrative I was trying to convey - thanks++
Huw both of these are eye-catching, although at first glance I thought I was looking at a snow scene The second image really speaks to me though, I think it captures the essence of what you are trying to convey. The guy on the bench is a nice and surprising touch.
These are really nice, with the second one being my favorite. The seated person really tells a story. I feel a better vantage point would really help the first image. From this perspective the headstones on the right just look like fence posts. jmho
Thanks @Michael_Lowe
I know what you mean and a step or two to the left would have helped. Doh!
Whilst composing, the path onwards was most essential for the narrative, and the gravestones on the right with the stone textures and the context of the stones on the other side do allow the viewer to work out what they are quite quickly.
I have a whole series from an hour or so spent composing and shooting but this is the best “path” forwards without another gravestone blocking the path. I’ll look to see if I have a better one
Your thoughts and comments very much appreciated - thanks
Ive added a couple of other cemetery pics from the same day - just out of interest
Regards
Huw
Ed_Lowe
(Ed Lowe)
selected this as an Editor's Pick
16
The IR effect has created this other-worldly effect on the overgrown vegetation and created quite the ghostly mood. Then you notice the person sitting on the bench contemplating, praying, etc and this gets kicked up another notch.
The second image really speaks to me though, I think it captures the essence of what you are trying to convey. The guy on the bench is a nice and surprising touch.