Sunday, February 22, 2009

Halloween in the Graveyard



Click image to view at 800 pixels wide

An English deciduous woodland scene, with the autumn colours rich, the leaves falling in crackling carpets... Days growing short, chill winds stirring the thinning boughs. Then along comes All Hallows Eve and the time when the dead walk among us. I found myself in this 1850s cemetery on Halloween, 2007: it's Welford Rd Cemetery in Leicester, across the road from the University, and the rich colours of evening, the lowering sun full on this group of elaborate monuments from the late Gothic Revival period, had a remarkable atmosphere. The camera captured the flavour of the moment superbly, this image is barely enhanced for publication, simply sharpened. The exposure in the shadow areas is very pleasing, while the contrast areas are a perfect duplication of the warm light of the moment. It was a bit creepy to find myself wandering among the tombs as the daylight faded, and this image brings thoughts of Dickens and Victorian ghost stories, as well as memories of bonfires and fireworks: Guy Fawkes' Night was just five days later. Fuji FinePix S5600, automatic. Image by Mike.

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