Left Behind
Woodsboro, Maryland
Woodsboro, Maryland
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Oct, 2012Views
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Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken in December 2007 in Mt. Hope Cemetery in Woodsboro, a small rural town in Frederick County, Maryland. I am an avid fan of cemetery statuary and frequently seek out opportunities to capture a unique or different specimen.Time
Similar to outdoor portrait photography, I find that the best time of day to shoot statuary is either in the morning or the evening as the light is less harsh. Also shooting on an overcast day helps to not get too many harsh shadows. This photo was taken on an overcast chilly December morning.Lighting
Natural lighting was perfect for this shot since the day was overcast and there were few harsh shadows being cast. No additional lighting source was used.Equipment
At the time of this photo, I was shooting with a Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT. The shot was handheld - Aperture: f/5.6, ISO: 320, Shutter Speed: 1/500 sec.Inspiration
Of all the cemetery statuary in small cemeteries in Frederick County, Maryland, this particular work is one of my favorite finds. While I have no relation to the family whose loved one is interred here, I have visited this monument many times to attempt to photograph a different likeness in a different season. The monument has seen some wear over the years and the birds do love to sit and spend time here. I am regularly amazed by stone carver's artistry to capture fine details in stone.Editing
Typically I use either Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Lightroom to provide a little post-processing. Mostly I tweak exposure and contrast. Occasionally I also provide a little sharpening. In the years that have passed since 2007, my skills as a photographer have improved - both in capturing and in post-processing. This photo is a little over-sharpened for my current tastes.In my camera bag
These days I carry a Canon 50D. I usually have in my bag an EF100mm f/2.8 Macro USM (my go to lens for close-up subjects) and an EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM (I use this a lot for wide-angle shots. It also works well in the studio for portrait photography since I can zoom out or in to compose just the right shot).Feedback
I am always looking for something unique to photograph. The subject itself doesn't have to be unique, however I try to provide interest to the viewer by changing my perspective. I try a different angle, play with the composition, try different camera settings. Not every experiment will work, but it never hurts to try. I also read a lot about other photography techniques that have been successful. Knowing about techniques that have been successful gives me a starting place to bend other's successes to work for my perspective. I highly recommend using photography as a meditation to get to know the subject. Take your time, study your subject and immortalize your particular view.
