Coffee at the Cemetary

[Theo Moore]

Please scroll down for further updates

I was getting to work this morning, and I spotted this woman having coffee sitting on one of the ancient graves in a church cemetery (not as creepy as it sounds since this is a common walkway).

I asked for her permission to snap a couple shots. But in my haste, I only took a few of them and in retrospect, I should have taken my time to better compose it.

Anyways, nothing I can do now about it.

Here are two photos mid-processing. The first one if I decide to keep, I'll have to paint out the branch obscuring the head. And maybe work on the conversion a bit more to bring out the head.

http://philsproof.com/img/2008/04/cem1.jpg

The second one I'm really looking for suggestions. I'm thinking about desaturating everything but the red leaves.

http://philsproof.com/img/2008/04/cem2.jpg

Comments? Criticism? Suggestions on the post processing?

Damn. I really wish I had found an optimal composition.

[purpleclouds]

Works well in black and white I think....shame it isnt the front of her though ;)

[pearce_jj]

would have been nice if the green-and-white Starbucks cup was sitting on the grave perhaps?

[Theo Moore]

would have been nice if the green-and-white Starbucks cup was sitting on the grave perhaps?

Actually she was carrying a mug. So no Starbucks. Life is unfortunately not that poetic.

Anyways, this is probably the final version. Decently happy with the product, even though that foreground tombstone bothers me to no end.

http://philsproof.com/img/2008/04/cem4.jpg

[Talisman]

i really like the 1st one and the last shot.

[kmlc]

I prefer the second one, with the branches focused in shot.
well done. What a different photo!

[G2EWS]

Hi Theo,

Just ambling through the site for inspiration and have to say I really love your final image. I think taking the shot of her back adds to the mystique.

Getting the leaves to stay in colour was a stroke of genius and adds to an already great photo. Well done.

Chris

[Theo Moore]

I went back to this image tonight and tried to edit it again. It frustrates me because I think it can be a nice image, but there was something off with the colour of my last one (the one with the desaturated background). This is the best I could do tonight: I used a red filter to bring out the leaves, then added some curves.

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/gallery/data/1672/cen_again.jpg

It still doesn't feel right? Any more suggestions? Maybe I should just scrap it and wait in the cemetery until someone else comes along.

[wilmorh]

personally, i love the one which you desaurated eveything apart from the leaves. I agree that the view of her back, adds to the overall feeling of the shot.

[idlemonkey]

Decently happy with the product, even though that foreground tombstone bothers me to no end.



I like the Tombstone, together with the branches and leaves it has a kind of horror film look about it ...... as if you were creeping up ready to .........

Just as well you asked permission first ....... :lol:

[pearce_jj]

Maybe I should just scrap it and wait in the cemetery until someone else comes along.


It might well be Mr Plod that finds you :lol:

[mortm]

My humble opinion, if the original has more hair detail try not to lose it. If deepening your shadows mask of the head or something from the effect, bring her forward. I like it though, I can imagine someone coming up and passing over a briefcase full of government secrets..

Mel