Window to the Past: I posted this in the Gallery, but it didn't get much response. I have gotten so much helpful advice in this section that I put it here for that reason. Processed...

BillFeffer Loc: Adolphus, KY

I posted this in the Gallery, but it didn't get much response. I have gotten so much helpful advice in this section that I put it here for that reason. Processed solely in LR 6.14. Thank you in advance for comments and critique.

(Download)

R.G. Loc: Scotland

It looks like it should be a straight snow shot but the gravestone area looks unnatural. Was it an infrared shot or processed to look like one? It would probably look better if the graveyard area was processed to look more normal.

BillFeffer Loc: Adolphus, KY

It is a faux infrared. I was intending the ghostly look. The leaves on the ground and in the trees were actually bright yellow.

SalvageDiver Loc: Huntington Beach CA

I'm in agreement with RG on this point. There is very little separation between the headstones and the ground. It needs some contrast to create a more solemn or even spooky look. The tree leaves could also use a little more contrast. For me, it would be interesting to see the color version of this. The artistic effect you applied is well done.

Compositionally, the cemetary is the subject of this image with the trees excellently framing the subject. However, the right side of the image provides an easy path to lead the eyes right out of the image. I would evaluate whether the right side of the image is important to the story your trying to tell.

Mike

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

I saw it in Gallery and called it "magical." That may not be the best word to describe my feeling, but I definitely see it as something positive, not spooky. Maybe angelic? Or good Samaritan ghosts?

I see what Salvage Diver is saying about the composition, but for me it would feel too tightly constrained without the row of trees, ground and those other pretty leaves. While my attention is momentarily drawn there, the gravestones are a strong enough subject - as pp'd - to draw me back quickly.

If this had been edited traditionally and/or in color, I might have a different response both to the mood and the composition.

Stephan G

BillFeffer wrote:

I posted this in the Gallery, but it didn't get much response. I have gotten so much helpful advice in this section that I put it here for that reason. Processed solely in LR 6.14. Thank you in advance for comments and critique.

I would darken the headstones to a light grey. This will make them echo the trees while keeping an eerie look. The story I see is the line of trees keeping the dead away from the path.

joehel2 Loc: Cherry Hill, NJ

I am a fan of IR photography. The elements present are perfect together. I like the composition a tiny bit better if the tree border on the left were reduced to just a couple inches remaining, I think this would shift the focus more to the path on the right edge created by the beautiful line of trees. Very nicely done.

StanMac Loc: Tennessee

I think the image is well composed and the effect is perfectly processed for its theme and title. I envy the imagination some people have to envision how an image could illustrate a thought or theme and also have the skills to process the image to so well illustrate that theme.

Stan

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

StanMac wrote:

I think the image is well composed and the effect is perfectly processed for its theme and title. I envy the imagination some people have to envision how an image could illustrate a thought or theme and also have the skills to process the image to so well illustrate that theme.

Stan

A quick hijack of Bill's topic if I may: StanMac, I think photos #2 and #3 of the below posting
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-556716-1.html
are very strong stories. If you are interested in working on "themes" via processing, please don't hesitate to post a photo to this section and ask for edits and ideas. As for skill, it can be helpful to list a few specific goals and then read/view videos/practice those until mastered. Trying to learn everything at once rarely works out

(thanks for the time-out, Bill!)

BillFeffer Loc: Adolphus, KY

Linda From Maine wrote:

A quick hijack of Bill's topic if I may: StanMac, ... (show quote)

I have no problem with comments which further photography education. It's the off topic rants that diminish the value of UHH.

BillFeffer Loc: Adolphus, KY

Linda From Maine wrote:

I saw it in Gallery and called it "magical.&q... (show quote)

For grins, here is a color version.

(Download)

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

BillFeffer wrote:

I have no problem with comments which further photography education. It's the off topic rants that diminish the value of UHH.

Thanks Bill. I think you'll find that the volunteer-moderated sections (those with active moderators, that is) don't tolerate rants for very long

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

BillFeffer wrote:

For grins, here is a color version.

I'll be interested in the responses from the other folks following this thread.

I'm reminded of small family graveyards in Maine where the woods may have reclaimed most of the land, as well as the setting of Roslyn, WA:
http://www.roslynmuseum.com/roslyn-cemetery.html

Fascinating histories to learn about or imagine as you spend a day wandering through the site.

R.G. Loc: Scotland

Linda From Maine wrote:

I'll be interested in the responses from the other folks following this thread.......

If the OP wanted to create something spooky or other-worldly, the colour version isn't exactly lacking in potential as a starting point.

Wasabi

The processed shot definitely sets a eerie but not unfriendly tone. Maybe a long buried graveyard that rises on Halloween. The original shot is interesting but not as impactful.