Hello all!! My son, Gabe, will be graduating from college next Thursday. This is a MAJOR accomplishment for all of us. He was extremely close with his great grandparents, helping to care for them up until they passed away several years ago!! If you had known my grandfather, you would know that whenever anyone graduated, he would put on their cap and gown and have a picture taken with the graduate. I'm sure it would be no different now if he were still living. As tribute to him (them), and as a special gift to my dad, aunt and uncle, I want to take a picture(s) of Gabe visiting their graves and possibly placing his cap on the markers.
I'm struggling with exactly how I want to compose the shot. I'm thinking of having him kneel down on one knee looking down at the marker, placing his cap on it, taking the photo from a side angle (profile). Not really sure of any other way that wouldn't look like just random person in a cemetery. That just sounds weird!! So with that said, I'm asking the 365 community for advice or ideas on other ways to compose this shot!!! You all are awesome!!!!!
I really have minimal experience with "people" shots, and this being a most special one I could not offer anything useful. Just to wish you all the best for getting superb results that others might be able to help with.
Perhaps placing the cap on the stone and standing next to it with his hand on it and looking down. Ask him to remember them and snap away. A lovely idea and it will work out no matter!
Two ideas.
Is there a family member who could take over Grandfather's role and so continue the tradition.
Have a look at @888rachel's sensitive photo of tribute on 25 th April. I can see your son standing with his cap as tribute - trying various poses -sitting( small stop required)?
Beside stone with cap over stone and a flower in other hand. You move around and get several angles.
Can he symbolically tuck a photo of grandparents in jacket pocket when he goes to the ceremony?
@ethelperry You need to tag Rachel without the ('s) @888rachel . I was worried for a moment that she had left when I clicked to see her photo!! Glad you're still here Rachel :)
I expect you want your boy to be recognizable in the picture but I would be tempted to just show his hand placing the cap on the stone w the engraving on the stone completely in focus... Or maybe shoot over his shoulder as he is placing the cap... Again, I would have the stone in focus... Even if your boys face is visible, I would have him looking at the stone, not the camera... And not necessarily in focus...
@bella_ss@ethelperry Thanks ladies for mentioning that shot! I have tried to come up with a clever idea Amanda, but I can't think of anything. I like @northy 's ideas.
Basically reiterating @northy suggestions. As tight as shot as possible to maximize the emotional intimacy and impact, with just enough detail in the frame to tell the story, cap and stone in focus as they are the focal point of the story. One thing my mentor pounded into me was "even when you think you have the shot, keep working it". I think that could be good in this situation; take your time, work the shot with a dozen different angles and compositions...maybe even some variations in pose and position, because sometimes (and frankly, kinda often for me) I stumble into a composition I hadn't imagined that is far more effective than what I did have in mind. I do look forward to seeing this image, please tag me if/when you post it.
Your grandfather sounds like a fun man! My mind went right to the humorous side - I certainly would not right to be disrespectful in ANY manner - and you know your family best - but could you dress up the stone? Have your son next to it smiling? Certainly just a thought.
All others have great ideas! Good luck! Congrats to your son!
I was thinking along the lines of David because one thing that stood out to me in your introduction was that your grandfather (your son's great grandfather) loved to have his picture taken with the graduate. While I like the idea of the cap by/on the tombstone, to me that is more of a memorial whereas a picture reminds me of someone whose life made an impact because they were a part of you. And a shot with your son (in his cap and gown) holding his (great grandfather) picture was a way to continue the tradition which he enjoyed so much. If you do a shot by the tombstone, you might ask your son how he'd feel comfortable posing and then go from there. However, having raised two sons myself I know they're not always inventive that way! So Northy's suggestions will come in handy there. I know how special this will be. My father was a huge part of my niece's lives. The last picture we have of him was the day they both showed up in cap and gown with their diplomas to show him since he was unable to attend their graduations. What a treasure! He passed away two days later. So congratulations to your graduate!! There are smiles in heaven!
Tweets ahoy!
Join the Group
Pin With Me
Is there a family member who could take over Grandfather's role and so continue the tradition.
Have a look at @888rachel's sensitive photo of tribute on 25 th April. I can see your son standing with his cap as tribute - trying various poses -sitting( small stop required)?
Beside stone with cap over stone and a flower in other hand. You move around and get several angles.
Can he symbolically tuck a photo of grandparents in jacket pocket when he goes to the ceremony?
All others have great ideas! Good luck! Congrats to your son!
If there isn't a large enough photo to be seen then maybe scan the photo and then edit it into the photo you take of your Dad and Son.
Heres one shot of my son at graveside. @dbj @olivetreeann @davidgnc @lifepause @888rachel @northy @ethelperry @kevin365 @frankhymus
Here's another one