Memorystone

The attached is one from my graveyard walk yesterday. I normall use PS for basic jobs like USM, resizing,contrast darken etc so this is about as ambitious as I've ever got. Taken, using the cameras B/W facility and then applied the grain filter and a bit of colouring using the magic wand and brush tools. A lot of work for me as it was all a learning curve. I hope you think it was worth it.
Many thanks
Tom

The learning curve which you described was very successfull. I think you really managed to bring alive an otherwise sordid type of photo. The green leaves and dead and brown leaves is what makes this photo work for me.Great photo.
Piet

Very well worth the effort. Good vision to have done this. I especially like the grainy effect and the way the main branch has a natural framing effect. My only critiques would be to have physically removed the lower branch that is covering the age. Also, did you remove or Photoshop out some of the writing (dates, name) from the left page? I think I see what looks like some cloning patterns - or maybe not.

Tuna

Tuna and Piet
Thanks for your comments and I'm glad you liked this. Well noticed Tuna; I thought I had done enough not to leave evidence of photoshopping. I also did a bit on the right page also. I just wanted to remove personal stuff out of respect to the deceased. Do you think that was necessary? I just felt I was intruding a bit.
Tom

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Originally Posted by Overbeyond

Tuna and Piet
Thanks for your comments and I'm glad you liked this. Well noticed Tuna; I thought I had done enough not to leave evidence of photoshopping. I also did a bit on the right page also. I just wanted to remove personal stuff out of respect to the deceased. Do you think that was necessary? I just felt I was intruding a bit.
Tom

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Personally, a gravestone is there for all to see - in honor of the dead from the living. Your beautiful image does nothing to defame that memory - in fact, it extends the honoring of it. I say, if possible (if you still have the original), post it and leave the original message in...

Tuna

Tom, I agree with Tuna - many folks leave unique sentiments on grave markers, and some make their hobby in doing "rubbings" of these - a nicely done photograph like yours is certainly less intrusive than that. It is very well done.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tuna

Personally, a gravestone is there for all to see - in honor of the dead from the living. Your beautiful image does nothing to defame that memory - in fact, it extends the honoring of it. I say, if possible (if you still have the original), post it and leave the original message in...

Tuna

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I still have the original from the camera so spent the afternoon photoshopping it again this time with full inscriptions. (A New Years gift for you!) A good few people said they would prefer if the leaves and stem on the bottom lh side of the stone were removed. I actually like them there as a sort of bookmark if you like. What do you think?
Tom