I'm really not sure what to think about this, certainly it is unusual to take a funeral as a photographic opportunity! I hope the family was ok about this. The treatment is very interesting and the sky has some wonderfully energetic shapes in it though for me the tone divisions are a little too strong.
A full quarter of the picture is doing nothing - suggest trimming just below the second headstone.

Mike Bywater wrote:
> I'm really not sure what to think about this, certainly it is unusual to take a funeral as
> a photographic opportunity! I hope the family was ok about this. The treatment is very interesting
> and the sky has some wonderfully energetic shapes in it though for me the tone divisions are
> a little too strong.
> A full quarter of the picture is doing nothing - suggest trimming just below the second headstone.
>
Mike first and foremost I am his family and everyone at this funeral knows I am a professional photographer, and it is also very welcome by most modern day funeral family homes to the tune of $1000 to $2500 and sometimes even more.
This is one of the only times that friends and family get together, other then a wedding I shoot at least 3 to five funerals a month. I must agree that it is very unusual to shoot a funeral but pick up a copy of this months Popular Photography and see a story on "Memento Mori Capturing the Emotions of funerals"
I bet it pays more the taking pictures of flowers and building.

Thanks for your comment.

Denny,

First off, I'm sorry for your loss. Having someone you have an attachment to pass on can be quite the experience.

Secondly, the photo. Not my style, for me a little too over the top (HDR wise).

Thirdly, good on ya for seeing an opportunity and grabbing on to it (Funeral Photography). It's out of the box thinking like yours that creates new business for all of us. I've never considered this avenue but certainly plan on contacting funeral planners in my area and talking with them about the possibilities.