Unknown Civil War Soldier, U.S. National Cemetery, Grafton, WV.

Nice tonal range. Your composition makes this different too.....

You are standing at the grave of an unknown fallen Civil War soldier at the National Cemetery in Grafton, West Virginia. Interestingly, the first Union soldier to die in this war is buried here, Private T. Bailey Brown.

 

Although this photograph was made using Macophot 820c I did not use the usual opaque filter, therefore what you are seeing is mostly visible light with very little contribution from the IR.

Thanks Dennis! Looking at this, however, I think I should have raised the camera up about a foot to get more separation between the foreground headstone and the one immediately behind it. Regards.

Nice image Walter. AS a veteran, these places are always special to me. The cemetery overlooking Normandy is something else. 9 years of active duty, U.S. Army. Thanks Walter - Sean

As you are a Veteran, Sean, it is I who will thank you. Happy Veterans Day, buddy!. Regards.

Against my usual predilection, I am not interested in your ratings on

this one. But if you have a thoughtful and helpful critique (aka

comment) I would be more than willing to listen.

Walter, My favourite of your 3 current posts. The dramatic tones did it for me. I agree with your assessement about raising the camera a tad and would add that I think a step to the right would have avoided the 'all lined up' effect of the headstones(unless that was intended). Still, a high impact photo. Best, LM.

Thanks Len for the visit and comment. Yes, the all lined up "ducks in a row", so to say, was indeed intended. I wanted to have the line on the left (directly behind the Unknown Soldier's marker) converge with those on right. National cemetery's are a disitinct departure from those for civilians. They exhibit quite a rigorous order, not at all a haphazard style. I wanted to convey some sense of that in this photograph.

 

This emulsion is a challenge for me; the sky-tone worked out this time. Regards.

I particularly like the way the foreground headstone touches the one behind it. You get the feeling they are all joined together. Also, the convergence started by the 2 stones on the right is dramatic. One other thing I like it the wall detail in the center. That wall adds depth and a sense of scale. Lacking much to complain about here--some more detail in the darkest trees would be nice. Detail there would help to also pull you toward middle left. The other strong shadows are a very nice touch because they mirror the foreground.

Thanks for your visit Dave, always appreciate your view. When I was walking along at this location I felt a low POV would do what I wanted, so I set my tripod and camera really low...maybe about a foot and half above the ground. I understand what you are seeing, the "connection" of this Unknown with his fallen commrades. But I still think I should have tried a little higher to gain that separation that I previously mentioned. Hard to say. Regards.