(Dead) Man & Nature

Gallery: Man & NaturePosted November 21, 20071,965 views14 comments

When I go to Talladega National Forest I usually camp on a lake, and have that lake all to my self. Well, last weekend there was another couple there, so I had to find another spot as I'm very anti-social when it comes to camping! I drove to this tiny, old cemetary deep within the forest and had the place to myself for the 4 days. The best part was that none of these guys complained about my snoring! Every time I visit this old cemetary, and others, I'm filled with appreciation and admiration for these people who had it so much harder than we do today - life was indeed a struggle back in the 1800's and early 1900's. So many of these folks died so very early in their life!

D2X w/ Tokina ATX 12-24 @ 18mm
12 minutes @ f/4 - mirror up and mc-30 remote release
Truck lights on for about 5 seconds or so toward the end to light the headstones
100 ISO
No filters
Tripod
C1 LE, PSCS3, Marc's web sharpening

Critiques, suggestions, and comments always welcomed and appreciated. Thanks for looking.

Comments

14 comments

Comment posted by Pete Bengeyfield on November 21, 2007 at 11:36 AM

Spooky. Where was this for halloween?

Great idea and execution.

Registered on December 2, 2003, 1247 Posts, 3439 Comments

Comment posted by Jos De Braekeleer on November 21, 2007 at 2:12 PM

Great image of a spooky place IMHO ... did you really sleep next to the cemetery ... brrrrr !

Registered on November 1, 2003, 455 Posts, 1648 Comments

Comment posted by andy puttbach on November 21, 2007 at 2:45 PM

I love this. the star trails are great.

Registered on January 23, 2007, 0 Posts, 299 Comments

Comment posted by Mike Veltri on November 21, 2007 at 5:39 PM

Very moving and full of emotion, it really makes you think. I love the star trails as well. Excellent work Bill!

Registered on February 3, 2007, 51 Posts, 1077 Comments

Comment posted by David Chauvin on November 21, 2007 at 7:31 PM

I like these old cemeteries too, Bill. I camped near one at Rocky Springs years ago. Nice use of flash.

Registered on August 5, 2004, 1007 Posts, 5595 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Rasmussen on November 22, 2007 at 12:39 AM

I can honestly say I've never seen this shot before! Good stuff though. Don't you think you should light up your fg in a long exposure like this toward the beginning of the exposure? Anything could happen when you go to light it up at the end.... the lights might not work, you could get a crazy reflection off one of the tombstones, a zombie could stumble into your scene! ...I'm just sayin'!

Registered on July 26, 2005, 121 Posts, 1884 Comments

Comment posted by John&Patty Benway on November 25, 2007 at 12:17 PM

Love the star trails Bill, also old Cemeteries.

Registered on May 12, 2006, 626 Posts, 8700 Comments

Comment posted by Pat Sampson on November 25, 2007 at 5:38 PM

I like this a lot Bill.

Pat

Registered on May 19, 2007, 953 Posts, 15989 Comments

Comment posted by Carol Hyman on November 25, 2007 at 10:45 PM

Bill, You've got the best lighting ideas.

Definitely a spooky feeling.

Carol

Registered on January 18, 2007, 597 Posts, 8062 Comments

Comment posted by Kent Staubus on November 26, 2007 at 1:50 AM

You get an A for creativity and creating a great image! I've used headlights from my truck before, but none of those shots came out this well.

Kent in SD

Registered on November 11, 2003, 121 Posts, 2098 Comments

Comment posted by Terry Sohl on November 26, 2007 at 9:02 PM

A for creativity, indeed! Very cool Bill!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 513 Posts, 6889 Comments

Comment posted by Carol Hyman on November 27, 2007 at 12:10 AM

Congratulations on the EP, Bill.

Well-deserved.

Carol

Registered on January 18, 2007, 597 Posts, 8062 Comments

Comment posted by Patricia Brundage on November 27, 2007 at 12:56 AM

The streaking stars mirrors life... beautiful, full of light, and fleeting. Great story telling image. Oh, congratulations on the EP. Well deserved.

Registered on March 23, 2006, 1111 Posts, 6531 Comments

Comment posted by Michael Anderson on November 28, 2007 at 9:06 PM

Wow, creepy but beautiful at the same time. I totally hear ya about how good we have it compared to a century ago... Congratulations on the EP!

Registered on January 31, 2006, 228 Posts, 3072 Comments