'Ghost Road' Tombstone Fractalius

[Andrew McLachlan]

Last weekend while at the family cottage I went for a drive to an old graveyard on the Nippising Road, also known as the 'Ghost Road'. I visited this graveyard many years ago when checking out ghost towns and discovered this tombstone. Life must have been very hard on this road back in 1902 when settlers were arriving, most folks left for the fertile prairies rather than stay here. This particular tombstone probably illustrates the hardships best, as James and Janey Morden lost 6 children between the 14th and 19th of January in the year 1902. A plaque at this site suggests that diphtheria caused their untimely demise.

Thought I would make it look a little older. Converted to B&W with Silver Efex - sepia tone. Next added fractalius rounded preset and reduced opacity a touch then masked back in much of the tombstone.

While here I donated a pint or two of blood to the local mosquito population too!

Look forward to comments.

[denise ippolito]

Well this is different for you Andrew. I love it. The B&W is done nicely with the touch of sepia in the tombstone. The background seems to have some very nice layers.

[Anita Bower]

Beautifully done!!! The unique tombstone stands out nicely from the background, yet fits into the whole nicely. Lovely tones. Such a sad story. I can't imagine losing even one child. I am so grateful for modern medicine.

[Brendan Dozier]

Nice job on this image, Andrew. B&W & sepia works very well. Really gives you sense of history and a story of hardship that people had to endure back in those days.

[Julie Kenward]

Super use of fracalius, Andrew...you can barely detect it but you sure know something is there!

Love the solemn feel of this piece. If you have Nik Color Efex by any chance there's a filter called "Midnight" and another called "Low Key" and they both would add a touch of depth to what you have here. As is - it still is an excellent piece of work!

[Indranil Sircar]

Beautiful composition, Andrew. Your commentary and reflection of the past makes this so much more compelling composition. I really like the sepia tone and old look to the image.

[Kerry Perkins]

Andrew, this is really well done and does exactly what in image should do - tell a story and evoke an emotional response. How unbearably sad, but your image is a lovely remembrance.

[Andrew McLachlan]

Thanks for comments folks, much appreciated