I am proud to show you my own pet project that I've been planning for quite a while now.

I wanted to capture images that are not just pretty, but gripping and real. I shot this series a couple of hours ago. The cemeteries that a lot know are the clean serene ones where you bring the kids and have a picnic.

Well, this is where the departed rest for those who aren't so well off.

I was quite scared to be honest. I was alone. In a very dark place, it was raining all evening, the ground was soaking wet and there was garbage all over. My first frames I took handheld just for the people to get used to me. They were very guarded and defensive, but gradually I won them over and told them I wanted to show people this side of the cemetery where not a lot of us who are better off are too scared to go to. And when they saw my images, they were genuinely curious and sometimes ignorant and kept asking me if I could capture ghosts. I assured them I couldn't and during All Souls Day, it is us who are paying them reverence so the dead will not intervene.

At one point, some of the teenagers wanted me to come and visit the really scary part of the cemetery where they put the remains of people who have been evicted from their resting place. I politely declined as I feel I have already tested my courage as far as it would go for one night.

This is a labor of love for me as I celebrate my first full year back into serious Photography. My flickr gallery has almost a thousand images and comparing my first 100 to the recent 100 has opened my eyes to how far I have come.

All Souls Day (Night Shoot) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davedeluria/sets/72157594355666489/show/)
http://static.flickr.com/106/285853396_5a7ef4fe5a_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davedeluria/sets/72157594355666489/show/)

Thanks for sharing Dave. The "corridor/hallway" photos gave me the creeps. I also liked the eerie and silent drama portrayed by each photo.

Bravo! :)

Thanks Fidel.

In the planning stages I took images during the day, but all the images just looked cold. Shooting the same scenes at night immensely made it better (and harder and scarier) to do.

You big chicken!!! :D:D

The first time I ventured round a Philippine cemetery it was late afternoon, just starting to get dark and the area round the apartments was really over grown. I was very worried about snakes and walking carefully through the long grass. The area was littered with rubbish that looked like torn up old clothes and the lining of coffins. Just as I was stepping over a large clump of weed's something there was a loud noise right behind me, like somebody jumping onto the ground. I just about made a mess in my underwear expecting to see a ghost behind me but instead it was a mango that has fallen off of a tree. I breathed a sigh of relief on turned round to make my way out of the cemetery but as I looked up I met Eric (at least that’s what I call him)

http://www.mgdphotography.com/index.php?showimage=53

Now I didn't know what to do, and was in serious danger of embarrassing my self! My bum just about gave way!!

Anyhow, I went back several time to visit Eric and I found quit a lot of friends for Eric, at least another 10 in that area all in cement sack's or rice sack's.

After this I bought myself a lot in a nice "Garden of Rest".

Mike

Eww... I know what you mean.

Thanks Mike!

Sir Dave...very very nice outcome! I know you've been planning this for quite some time now. If I were alone, I think I wouldn't have the guts to do that. Definitely a job well done! :)

I forgot to say.......


Nice work, captured the mood and feeling well.

Mike

Another excellent series Dave. You really captured how it's like to be there. I can almost smell it :)

I can only imagine what you can do with a 28mm f/1.4 :Grin:

regards,

Man, that's a scary photo Mike. Damn... Hmm, are those people murder victims or poor folks who can't afford a grave/crypt? :(

Yeah, I can imagine a sunny cemetery does not convey the same drama and creepiness.

Man, that's a scary photo Mike. Damn... Hmm, are those people murder victims or poor folks who can't afford a grave/crypt? :(

Yeah, I can imagine a sunny cemetery does not convey the same drama and creepiness.
A friend did some research into this and it appears that when you take an "apartment" in a cemetery you pay for 5 years. After that if you don't pay again the remains are removed, the coffin destroyed and bones put in sacks. Generally these people are the poorest in our society and this is the best they can afford.

Mike

Oh okay, that's a sad fact... thanks for the information though.:(

A friend did some research into this and it appears that when you take an "apartment" in a cemetery you pay for 5 years. After that if you don't pay again the remains are removed, the coffin destroyed and bones put in sacks. Generally these people are the poorest in our society and this is the best they can afford.

Mike

Yup something like that... Also You pay 100 Php a year for duties... If you miss it then the cadaver remains get exhumed and sacked and crimated like all the rest...

Definitely gave me the creeps...

nice captures!

ei dave! amazing captures! happy for you man! your shared photos are always a must-see for everyone. :)

great images dave. it gives a feel that the spirits glow through the crypts. eerie, somber and artistic. great job sir.

great set as usual dave! Next time you want to go in pairs or small group PM me =)

Nice shots Dave, really liked the first shot (stairs). For me, the atmosphere in most of the pics wasn't creepy but more of warm and cozy. Parang hotel :)

In such occasions, this local saying might be appropriate

"Matakot ka sa buhay, wag sa patay" :Grin:

Thanks again everyone!

This image really struck a chord;

http://static.flickr.com/114/285835797_bb50e9f48c_b.jpg

There were hundreds of apartments and this one was unmarked so I can imagine his/her relatives just memorize which one is the proper crypt and put a candle with the sampaguita.

Well.. enough of the gloom!

Christmas season is coming up so it's time to get cheery!

nice capture dave....really nice!

great images! can't wait for the christmas set! :D
may i ask what custom settings were used on those shots and what lens did you use?