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In memory of the stillborn children
In memory of the stillborn children
Azrifel


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Cemetery (Advanced Editing IV)
Camera: Nikon D70
Lens: Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D
Location: RC Cemetery of the Cunera church Nibbixwoud, NL
Date: Mar 27, 2005
Aperture: f/5.6
ISO: 200
Shutter: 1/100s
Galleries: Emotive, Black and White
Date Uploaded: Mar 27, 2005

 Monument in memory of the stillborn children and the children who died before their christening.

Why a monument?
Because the Roman Catholic church until recently forbid parents to bury these children on the cemetery of the church. They had to be burried outside of the official cemetery, many times out of public view (= at night) and most of the time they ended up in an unmarked grave in the sidewall of the ditch surrounding the cemetery.
The reason? Because they were not christened yet and therefore not a member of the church. I guess I don't have to tell you how much pain this has caused among the families and especially for the mothers.
One of the many reasons why I really, really dislike religion and the Roman Catholic church in particular.

Fortunately the churches have seen they were wrong about this and are trying to make up for that by publicly saying they were wrong and by offering the families monuments like this one.

This monument was made by miss Annie Boots-Kraaijvanger from Nibbixwoud and consecrated on November the 2nd 2003.
On the day of the consecration I was asked to do the photography.
This photo was taken sunday the 27th of march 2005.

My personal relation to this cemetery is that my grandfather was burried here back in 1967.

The intention was to
a) get this composition
I have on that I feel looks better, but relates less to the background, so it wouldn't really fit cemetery anymore.
b) create a dark mood = postprocessing

Lens used: Nikkor AF 50mm f/1.4

Editing:
Nikon Capture 4.2
-0.33EV Exposure Compensation
Contrast to normal
Whitebalance 7200k

Photoshop 6
Contrast +15
Burning around the hand
Dodging on the hand and child
(the darkness and contrast comes from the next step, not from extreme burning)
FM B&W Pro, blue filter, DR +1, tweak filter 44%
LAB USM 10% 50px
Resampled
LAB USM 150% 0.3px

Date: 27.03.2005 at 10:01:45
EV ±0,00 EV
Program: A - Aperture-priority auto
Metering mode: Multisegment
Flash: Off
Zoom: 75 mm KB (50,0 mm Real)
Resolution: -- (RAW)
Focus Mode: AF-S
494

Statistics
Place: 32 out of 281
Avg (all users): 5.9211
Avg (commenters): 7.3077
Avg (participants): 5.7273
Avg (non-participants): 6.2609
Views since voting: 9174
Views during voting: 305
Votes: 190
Comments: 17
Favorites: 0

Please log in or register to add your comments!

AuthorThread
Sony Alpha a55
Sony DT 11-18mm f/4.5-5.6 Aspherical ED
 04/04/2005 01:26:27 PM
One of my favorites of the challenge as well. Really surprised it didn't break 6. Thanks for the write-up too. I've seen things like this at other cemeteries and never knew the story behind it. I like your view on things.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-300D Rebel
Tamron AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical IF for Canon
 04/04/2005 11:54:44 AM
one of my favorites of the challenge...makes me cry, though. very powerful image and masterfully captured. just beautiful, sander! (hug)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-5D Mark III
Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0 L USM
 04/04/2005 10:41:38 AM
This was my blue ribbon choice. I don't know why it didn't place higher in ratings..but maybe it has something to do with what you said in your commentary above. Maybe it was just too difficult for some people to judge objectively..congratulations on a stunning composition.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
Canon PowerShot S2 IS
 04/03/2005 09:08:47 PM
Wow! My favorite so far in my voting! What a picture of our lives in God's good hands, especially the lives of the still born. Thanks!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-20D
Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
 04/03/2005 12:54:23 PM
Very impressive. Bump.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D750
Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II
 04/01/2005 08:46:07 AM
Utterly poignant.
Would love to have seen all your shots of this.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D300
Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D IF
 04/01/2005 08:25:48 AM
Nice. Did you try out different angles/crops for this shot? Not quite sure why, but it doesn't quite hold my interest.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon PowerShot SD780
03/30/2005 07:53:21 PM
I am making two passes on this Challenge. I will vote on your photo then return later(before voting is over) to comment on what I like and dislike about your shot. You can take the comments however you wish and I will try not to be mean. Just don't take it the wrong way.
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Nice. Nothing I would change.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-30D
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L USM
 03/30/2005 06:58:27 PM
so sweet.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Olympus OM-D E-M1
Olympus 75-300mm f/4.8-6.7 II M.Zuiko ED
 03/30/2005 01:12:25 AM
Really touching. The perspective and shallow DOF makes it stand out of the rest. Congratulations.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-20D
Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro for Canon
 03/29/2005 11:59:14 PM
WOW! LOVE this! Excellent comp! 9
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-300D Rebel
 03/29/2005 07:28:46 PM
That is a great statue, I would've cried for sure if I was there and seen that. I love this picture.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon Coolpix 5700
 03/29/2005 05:56:10 PM
What a touching photo, very nice.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-20D
Canon EF 17-35mm f/2.8 L
 03/29/2005 04:58:22 PM
awwwee.... great shot
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-5D Mark III
Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0 L USM
 03/28/2005 05:58:30 PM
This is very moving and graphic..needed to be in b&w, you are correct..it is one of the best shots I've reviewed; it leaves a lasting impression..10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS-5D Mark III
Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8 L USM II
 03/28/2005 10:28:48 AM
Great find and excellent photo. Texture, contrast and lighting are just right.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D800
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED
 03/28/2005 12:52:46 AM
Powerful composition. I like the levels and the diagonal split between dark and light. Title adds meaning to the photo. Nice job.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
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