Taken at ‘the end of the line’ on a dirt road. Technically the road does go on, but the metal gates are almost always locked tight.
The scene is a long marsh that continues on from here for a good distance, maybe a mile of water and reeds… and fog of course.
ACE Basin, South Carolina.
“Edwin served in the Confederate army during the Civil War as an officer in John F. Hart’s forces. He was in command of that unit at the close of the war. He was reputed to have been the person who loaded the gun that fired the first shot fired by the Confederate’s on January 9, 1861.” (FindAGrave search site)
Old Magnolia Cemetery, Charleston.
Image finished in DxO Silver Efex and DxO Filmpack.
Great Blue Heron flight in monochrome. I was able to catch the water dripping from his claws on this shot.
Most of our time out shooting now will be around the nearby swamp rookery. A bit sparse this year on Heron nests, but there are still over a dozen in view.
I also noticed Anhinga checking out mates the other day. I even saw one doing their crazy ‘back stroke’ mating dance. A female took notice. Too bad it’s early, she will have forgotten him by nesting time.
Dark and damp day, perfect to visit this old Gothic area cemetery.
Like many marsh/swamp cemeteries some burial sites are above ground. Charleston, South Carolina.
Taken along the salt marshes, near the backside of old Magnolia Cemetery, Charleston.
This was land in the Umbra Rice Plantation until the mid 1800’s. The Ashley River water was used to flood small fields for rice production. Rice was a bigger cash crop than cotton in many parts of the south. This was why Charleston was the wealthiest city in the US before the Civil War.
This land is in the city limits of Charleston now.
Out behind our usual paths through old Magnolia Cemetery is a newer section, right near the Charleston harbor salt marshes. Some of the Victorian sites are along the edge, these more recent head stones have their own treasures.
This walk I did not do much wide photography since there were details I wanted to catch up close.
I found a plaster cast cross leaning on a headstone. All the dead leaves from the nearby Oaks and Azaleas were blown against the stones base. It almost looked like the cross was buried in the dried leaves. I think the monochrome finish made the shot much more interesting.
A small moss covered Angel statue stood between some older 1800’s grave sites and the newer black marble markers. I’m not sure where it belonged, it worked nice just standing alone.
Who would have thought an old rusted Russian Icon would be here. The names on the stones were Slavic sounding, so how perfect was this!
Finally a tiny white plaster Angel sat in the corner of a large black family monument. She was dwarfed by the urn no less the tall markers.
Charleston, South Carolina, grave sites.
The other day it was time to brave the dark and damp of the old cemeteries. Beautiful old stones and wrought iron work well with that mood out there.
Details, close shots, monochrome, and some higher contrast are always my preferred style there.
I did not shoot in .jpg with in camera monochrome. While it makes you think a little different when shooting I like the use of RAW which allows the option of color filters later. I probably should get out my lens filters next time, see how badly I mess up using the ‘old fashion’ methods.
I had not been out shooting like this for a while. I need to do this more often. A nice quiet walk with shorter lens.
Just a fun shot. Locals all hanging together.
