From my walk around Cambridge American Cemetery last week I had this file:
ISO 400 50mm f/11 1/400sec
I took several shots in a row because the light was changing rapidly, but it was the one above that was my favorite. My first edit was a crop, as the marker on the right side of the frame that was half out of the frame bothered me. I’ve used a few filters here but a few smaller edits that I applied I’d like to point out. The first is the vignette, that is a filter that will darken the edges of a photo. Its default setting is to the middle of the photo, but that point can be changed. In Luminar 3 it’s as simple as clicking the button marked “place center” then clicking the point you would like in the photo. In this case, it is the small stones. I’ve also used the dodge and burn tool to lighten the rocks just a bit. Here is the outcome of those edits:
ISO 400 50mm f/11 1/400sec
What do you think of this framing and this edit? It’s different than a straight shot of just the grave markers, does it appeal to you? Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comment section.
Below I am including another photo, a similar grave that I posted on Instagram. This one shows more of what a full marker looks like:
Cheers!
Added to Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, Close-Up.
Photography Journal Blog 
Nice 👍.
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Thanks very much.
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I like the editing and composition, but I’m wondering why those tiny stones have been left there on the marker.
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Thanks very much. Within the Jewish faith, there is a tradition of leaving a small stone to signify that you have visited the site. I found this, that I thought covered the reasons well:https://www.shiva.com/learning-center/commemorate/stone/
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Thanks for that.
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No problem 🙂
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I also like the composition and the edit. Thanks for the clarification on the stones..I was curious.
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Thank you.
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I like the warmer tones in your edited image Amy and this capture tells so many stories 🕊
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Thank you very much.
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A special take on close-up! I think there is more atmosphere in the second one. And the Instagram shot is my favorite!
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Thanks very much. I was happy with that Instagram version as well.
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I saw it there now too.
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And it is one of those things where once I saw it, I couldn’t un-see it.
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I like it – I do think your edits have improved the photo greatly, especially on the face of the marker. I’ll be honest in that when I first saw it I wondered if the horizon needed to be straightened, but the more I look at it the more I think it’s great as it is. I also really like the photo you put on instagram. Just because I’m a nerd – what camera do you use?
Any idea what the stones signify?
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Thank you. In the case of this post, the first two are shot with a Canon 80D and an 18-55mm lens. This is a replacement for the 50D that I used for many years, I am very happy with “level” of camera for my use. The Instagram shot is my iPhone SE. What is your go-to camera?
As for the stones, in the Jewish faith, it is a custom to leave a small stone to signify that you have visited a grave. A good explanation of that is here: https://www.shiva.com/learning-center/commemorate/stone/
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Thanks for the link, that’s a really interesting tradition.
My main DLSR is a 40D that I bought about a year ago in near mint condition (shutter count was around 5000), only after my 350D started to fall apart. It’s only 10MP but that’s not really a problem for me. I’m still learning how to get the best out of it – I’ve never really been 100% happy with the colours.
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Just a thought, do you have the manual for it? I would consider looking up how to reset all the settings to factory in case the previous owner set something in an odd way. It would mean you would have to reset the time and date and all too.
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lol – I’m a man, I don’t read the manuals! Actually that’s a good suggestion, but alas even though I got this boxed it didn’t have anything other than the quick start guide. However it shouldn’t be too hard to drill down through the menus and find it. That’s a good suggestion – thanks!
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So manuals are the kind of thing that is super easy to find on the internet these days. Here is a copy of yours if you are interested: https://www.the-digital-picture.com/owners-manuals/canon-eos-40d-manual.pdf
If you didn’t want to start with restoring factory settings, I’d look at the “picture styles” section, because if that has been tinkered with it might be the source of what is currently bugging you.
Or, you can just ignore this comment 🙂
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Thanks for the link – I’ll take a look. I’ll reset it and work from there.
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Good luck, I hope you like the results!
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Nice shots, Amy. I think prefer the perspective of the Instagram pic as it highlights the stones.
I hope to make it there some days as my wife’s uncle, a B-17 pilot, is buried there.
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Thanks very much for this feedback. I’m actually there several times a year. Let me know if you would like me to find his plot and take some photos for you? It would probably be a few months before I get to it, but it would not be a problem for me to do that.
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Thank you, Amy. That would mean a lot. Here is a little background. http://www.americanairmuseum.com/person/63351.
Additionally, a Memorial was dedicated to the crew in Daventry a few years age spearheaded by the British son and granddaughter of a crew member. Those details are here: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56288256/robert-l-burry and http://www.sywellaviationmuseum.org.uk/?page_id=57.
Probably more info than you wanted but both of my wife’s uncles were killed in the war so she had no extended family (her mother was an only child), It really had a devastating impact on the family.
Thanks, again for your interest. Please leave a stone!
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Actually, I find this super interesting. I’ve looked through all the links. Just a few minutes ago I sent you an e-mail with some thoughts and questions about this. Let me know if you get the e-mail.
Thanks, Amy
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Got it, thanks! Sleepless in Iowa…haha!
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Yikes! I guess so 🙂
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Very nice edits and the name is clearer (did you pick the Lehman one for any reason? Or the Jacobson one? Just curious)
and the small stones left are a nice way to stamp the visit (I read the comments) and just love learning about culture stuff like that – so thx
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I picked them because they were Jewish. As you know, I photograph cemeteries a lot, so I knew about the little stone tradition. The sun was so intense that day, I thought the stones and the markers would really contrast, making for a strong storytelling visual interest. I love this Jewish tradition, I find it very moving, so that’s just my way to acknowledge that.
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Ahhh – got it – and adds more depth to an already beautiful post
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Thank you 🙂
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I’d written a story about the small stones on my writing ✍️ blog quite awhile ago. I grew up in a Jewish neighborhood. I learned about many of their traditions. No, I’m not Jewish. Yes, I can appreciate the cultures and religion of others.
The last two are my favorite photos. They show more detail. The first one looks like the gravestone is standing guard. Love the composition.
I’ve never thought of taking photos at a cemetery. Well, except my parents and grandmothers. You peaked my interest of photographing something new. Thanks 😀
Isadora 😎
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Thanks for your comment and feedback on my images. As for cemetery photography, I’ll see you there 🙂 It’s pretty much a running joke in the family that I feel the need to always look through them. I just find the stories that they contain to be interesting.
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I remember quite a few years ago going to see my grandmothers headstrong. While there I was astounded at the variety. I suppose it could be an adventure in photography. Be on the lookout I just may find a cemetery near you. 😂😀👍😎
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See you there 🙂
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😃
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I like the Instagram since it has evidence that there visitors.
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Thank you 🙂
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I like both the ‘warmed’ image from the 80D and your Instagram iPhone image. War cemeteries can be very challenging to get decent images and it’s easy to fall into the serried ranks cliché – you’ve avoided that with these images.
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Thanks very much!
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The edited one feels warmer Amy. I like the creativity of not including the whole marker.
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Thanks very much Sue.
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Those cemetries are very moving. I remember visiting a similar one in france.
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Yes, I have visited quite a few in different countries over the years, I always find them to be moving.
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