Cemetary...

[Vicki76]

Hi Im new here, been doing Photography for about 2 years on and off. Have recently purchased the 300D and LOVE it.

I have become fasinated with Cemetaries and gothic Settings, (old buildings and stuff). Today I visited a local Cemetary and got some good photos. Here is a couple I'd like you to give your thoughts on.

The Flowers were just resting on a grave and the Hidden Headstone just drew me to it. I like how the leaves cover the old weather stone.

Both taken on the 300D on a 50mm F1.8 with Aperture set at 1.8. Shutter at 1/1600 Headstone) and 1/3200 (flowers), ISO 200

Thanks for your time

P.S They have had a Midnight Sepia Action put on them, but other than that no cropping just resizing

[ChP]

I use the 300D as well, great camera. I also use the midnight filters a lot, great filters.

As far as the images go, the first one needs a better focus. The background is a little too distracting color wise, and although it was a great idea to use the midnight filter on a cemetary scene, the effect doesn't work well with this particular shot b/c of the background.

The second shot has a lot of potential to perhaps make a statement about how our lives are forgotten with the passage of time and our legacies consumed by nature; I sort of think of the poem Ozymandias by Shelley. However, that statement could be made if the shot was more zoomed out and we could see the grave more clearly and the brush consuming it. A little less brush in the way (but still present for the effect) would also be nice, the viewer would then be able to connect with an actual person by seeing some dates (preferably old) and maybe part of a name.

Just some thoughts.

[Hellashot]

I don't really like either. The flower image has other flower behind it distracting, taking away from the flower in focus, and making the image difficult to look at. And the grave had leaves close to the camera out of focus distracting from the tombstone. The type of leaves covering the stone do not add anything to the atmosphere.

I'd also suggest using a higher Av than 1.8 on something like the tombstone that'd give you more DOF and a longer exposure. You'd then be able to also go down to ISO100. Those were very short exposures you took.

[roanjohn]

Hmmm..........I tend to disagree..........I actually like both images. I think you gave it an eerie glow with the way you edited them.

The first image is striking, though you can tell that the flower is fake (plastic)...would've had more impact if it was the real thing.

I absolutely love the 2nd image....great job!!!

Ro1

[bennyboy]

Not sure about the first image. Very striking but the flowers in the background are a tad distracting.

2nd image is great. My first thought would have been to crop out the leaves that are out of focus but I think that actually add to the photo in this case. They give the impression of the stone beginning to be swallowed up by the plants.

Nice work