Response to What's the Story (Response #31)

Uploaded 2243 Days Ago by jertel - 11 comments

Photo © jertel (Jason Ertel) - www.thesefleetingmoments.com
Unauthorized reproduction not permitted.

User Comments

kadenajack said 2243 days ago:

OK, I want to know why there's a headstone and perhaps a grave plot in the parking lot of a shopping center. I'm not too wild about the processing though. That dark sky could never go with that brightly lit parking lot.

fotogeneric said 2243 days ago:

I can't really imagine a more relevant shot. I think this image would be strong even without the processing.

taikrixel said 2243 days ago:

i saw it some times before and i like it very much, now i love it!

zorilla said 2243 days ago:

An interesting image diminished by overprocessing

Ana said 2243 days ago:

oh, I know this story!!

King said 2243 days ago:

This looks like it was shot in my neighborhood, where there is an old cemetery across the freeway from a movie theater that looks a lot like this. Here's a snapshot of the theater.

http://www.kingdouglas.com/My-Neighborhood/pages/Lowes.htm

So was this shot in Dallas?

King said 2243 days ago:

I wasn't through commenting. I want to believe that this grave is in the parking lot, but the lighting doesn't look right, although you could have used flash on the headstone.

I agree with kadenajack about the processing and think that what could have been a striking image is closer to being simply odd.

What are the technical challenges you faced in preparing this photo?

zulu said 2243 days ago:

Mmhh I love HDR`s. Why is there a gravestone before a shopping mall?

jertel said 2243 days ago:

Thank you for the feedback... To some of you, nearly all of my images are going to be "over processed". I like to present the world not necessarily how it actually is, but how I'd prefer it to be experienced and that may entail a surreal or non-real reflection.

The image was shot in NJ, where I reside. Here is the story:

For the past 170 years Mary Ellis has resided on what she probably thought would always be a stately piece of property overlooking the scenic Raritan River. In actuality though, Mary has really just been monopolizing a prime parking space for the better part of the twentieth century. How poor Mary came to rest beneath the asphalt of the Loews Theater parking lot on Route 1 in New Brunswick is a romantic, and ultimately tragic story, not unlike a Bronte novel.

As the legend goes, Mary Ellis came to New Brunswick in the 1790's to stay with her younger sister Margaret. It was around this time that she met and fell in love with a man who was a sea captain, and former Revolutionary War officer. The Captain sailed down the Raritan and out to sea one day, vowing that when he returned he and Mary would be wed. He even left her his beloved horse to look after in his absence.

Every day after her captain's departure, Mary would ride his horse from her sister's house, on what is now Livingston Avenue, down to the banks of the river to eagerly await a glimpse of her lover's returning ship.

In 1813, she purchased a parcel of farmland overlooking the river from which she would maintain her daily vigil. Mary died there fourteen years later in 1827, still faithfully anticipating her captain's return. She was buried on the property, along with her sister, some other family members, and according to local lore, the captain's horse.

The rest of the story can be found here:

http://www.weirdnj.com/stories/_cemetery04.asp

kadenajack said 2243 days ago:

Now that's a story. Thanks for sharing.

King said 2243 days ago:

Yay, Jertal! Great story.

You could comment on this photo if you were logged in.