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: 9173 Views during voting: 305 Votes: 190 Comments: 17 Favorites: 0
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.
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.
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.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nice. Nothing I would change.
Add photograph to your favorites
Add photographer to your favorites
Photographer found comment helpful.
