San Lorenzo Cemetary, New Mexico

On my recent trip to New Mexico, I passed this cemetary on a side road going from Albuquerque to Socorro on I-25. It reminded me of Moonrise, Hernandez, Mexico by Ansel Adams (one of my favorite images of his) so I planned on finding it while I was out there. I made one unsuccessful foray to find it but I left early the day I flew out and after a brief mistake I found it. Of course it wasn't moonlight so I worked on it in PS and this is what I came up with. I used Nik Silver Efex>Low Key, Nik Color Efex Soft Focus and increased the diffusion, then did a levels and curves adjustment. Of course, it's not Ansel Adams but I thought it was interesting:S3: (I need to remove the shadow of the gate post and maybe evict the flag pole). Still a work in progress.

Cheryl, I can certainly understand why the scene reminded you of Moonrise, Hernandez, Mexico. It has some of the same qualities. Nice job with the PS processing. If you are looking for ideas on improving, you might consider cloning out the electrical towers on the horizon (left of the flag pole). I'd also experiment with cropping just a little off the left edge, to remove the two bright white objects, which would also give slightly more emphasis to the recognizable grave markers in the cemetery. A very interesting image!

Thanks, Mike. I can definitely remove the electrical towers and maybe I'll just evict the two bright objects (they are grave markers but they look like miniature porta-potties). I'd hate to lose any of the mountain on the left. I'll wait until I hear everyone's suggestions and then will rework it. (It looks much better as a large image).

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Originally Posted by Mike Landwehr

Cheryl, I can certainly understand why the scene reminded you of Moonrise, Hernandez, Mexico. It has some of the same qualities. Nice job with the PS processing. If you are looking for ideas on improving, you might consider cloning out the electrical towers on the horizon (left of the flag pole). I'd also experiment with cropping just a little off the left edge, to remove the two bright white objects, which would also give slightly more emphasis to the recognizable grave markers in the cemetery. A very interesting image!

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Cheryl, Before reading Mike's comment I was going to suggest evicting those two bright objects on left or at least toning them down. I like the gate placement and the pano style comp. Nice work with the conversion and diffusion. I agree with you regarding the gate post.

You did a great job turning day into night and I like the comp. I think you should tone down the white objects since moonlight isn't that bright, but definitely keep the mountain. Also agree on the other suggestions and if it was mine I would remove the white sign on the gate post too.

Very interesting project, Cheryl. Good suggestions made. The bright house on the right horizon could be cloned out. Plus 1 on keeping the mountains. :S3:

Hi Cheryl - i agree with most of the cloning suggestions and could see some toning down of some of the whites. But overall this is a gorgeous image. :S3:

This is excellent, Cheryl. I like how you composed the image... the dark sky hanging over the cemetery creates an interesting mood. I like your placement of the gate... agree with the cloning suggestions. Nicely done.

Cheryl, while looking through the OOTB thumbnails this immediately grabbed me. I like the starkness and feel on the edge of the Twilight Zone. The gate placement is nice and I agree with keeping the mountains. I appreciate the story of finding the cemetery.