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Konica Minolta Users | all galleries >> KM Challenges >> #4: Alone - hosted by Ferenc Mogor >> #4: Alone - Exhibition > Lonesome Tomb Guard - by Smatty
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01-JAN-2004 Smatty

Lonesome Tomb Guard - by Smatty

Japan

This lonesome tomb guard watches over the graves on a Japanese cemetary. Someone made a wool cap for him to wear.
12.03.04 Image edited. Cap of grave guard changed to original colour.

Minolta DiMAGE A1
1/50s f/3.5 at 25.7mm iso100 full exif

other sizes: small medium original auto
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Luminus 19-Mar-2004 02:49
Okay here's my opinion on this version.

I guess you have to have visted Japan to appreciate these little statues wearing hats, sweaters, etc, made from real (usually red) cloth by god-knows-who, popping up everywhere in cemeteries, temples, etc. With the monochromatic palette at these location, these colorful clothing really stands out, very visually striking. Everytime I see them I wonder who made these for the lonely statues. I think Smatty's gallery have captured some of these statues with clothes. Anyway, this is the reason for suggesting keeping the color of the hat....to me it would add to the sense of loneliness. But I realize now that you probably need to have some sort of background experience to see what I see.

Having say that....I have to admit the water blue color is.....hmm...unusual. :P Although interesting, it's definitely not the effect I had in mind.
Smatty 16-Mar-2004 09:03
niamh, claudio,

thank you for your input on this. I have an A4 size picture of the original B&W hanging on my wall. I really like it :-) The change to the blue hat was my first time experiment with B&W and colour in one picture. I wanted to try as Luminus suggested, to see what others think. I had a feeling, the alone theme was not strong enough as a lot of people seem to be scanning trough the thumbnails only. Don't worry about the points. Feedback and improving is more important to me than winning :-)
Claudio Gatti16-Mar-2004 03:43
Hi Smatty,

I'm with Niamh on this... I much preferred the original version with the subtle effect of the hat that takes some exploring to find. Gee... and I was here to get my final confirmation on voting ...now I'm really uncertain.

Claudio
niamh 12-Mar-2004 23:11
Hi smatty, you know from when you originally posted the link to your travel photos on dpreview how much I like this one. May I be a fly in the ointment and say that I prefer the purely b&w image you posted before? I liked the way it was very understated so that when you noticed the figure you thought "oh wow, that's really clever" (well, I did, anyway ;) ). Here the subject is undoubtedly more obvious, but for me the "wow" factor is diminished by the same proportion. Just my opinion though. niamh.
Smatty 12-Mar-2004 09:01
Luminus,

I changed the colour of the cap back to the original blue. Thank you for the hint. First time I ever crossed B&W and colour :-)
Smatty 12-Mar-2004 08:33
Hi Luminus,

you are probably right, that I shold have retained the colour of the guard. If I find time this weekend I will do it. Thank you for the suggestion :) BTW, this hat was light blue. Must be a Nakano thing ;-)
Luminus 12-Mar-2004 05:12
Yet another great picture. BW works perfect here (as I've commented on DSL's graveyard picture). If I remember correctly, the hats, scarfs, and sweaters these little guardians wear are usually red in color. Perhaps if you retain the color of the hat it would make a bigger impact and draws the viewer's eyes to the guardian more? Just a thought.
Claudio Gatti07-Mar-2004 16:40
Hi Smatty,

This image speaks to me on multiple levels. The cemetery as the ultimate "Alone" place, and the lonely guard on one side. Great textures and very good composition. One of my favorites.

Claudio