JPG Magazine: Photos: Photo by Michael Van der Tol

By Michael Van der Tol

On 17 April 2008

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In many of the small farming communities in Western Canada you will find family cemeteries. These are plots of land where generations upon generations buried their loved ones. Most are small and carry the names and lineage of brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, sons and daughters who worked the land. Many of the cemeteries are located away from roadside traffic; and depending upon the time of year and weather not easily reached in a vehicle. The crucifix depicted here was captured at a family cemetery near Bodo, Alberta, Canada in the middle of a field far away from any roads. The view was breathtaking and I had the sense that I was standing at a very sacred location.

25 Responses

On 17 April 2008 juliana dixon gave props:
Great for the theme. Love the well- worn feel this image has- as if it has stood the test of time.
On 17 April 2008 adniloj gave props:
Nice one Michael, I've many of those generational cemetaries round me; I understand what you mean by the feel of sacred land
On 17 April 2008 Benjamin Leong said:
Very very good.
On 17 April 2008 Nicole Gesmondi said:
This fits "Faith" perfectly. I love this technique you're using. Each image gets better and better.
On 18 April 2008 Jayne Logan gave props:
I agree Michael, very very good.
On 18 April 2008 Frédéric Frognier gave props:
Gorgeous work!
On 18 April 2008 Pilar Coll i Gatells said:
Preciosa!
On 18 April 2008 lowison gave props:
Molto bella Michael!!
On 18 April 2008 John Linton gave props:
Glorious shot.
On 18 April 2008 Eleonora Crola said:
the colours and the subject remind me of Nirvana's Heart Shaped Box video..very nice shot!
On 18 April 2008 jude mcconkey gave props:
It sounds irreverant (or even ironic) but all I can mutter when I look at this is "holy!".. absolutely gorgeous.. and I like Eleonora's reference to Nirvana's Heart Shaped Box video..
On 19 April 2008 Ronnie Ginnever gave props:
a traffic stopper!
On 20 April 2008 Valeria Viola said:
I look at this photo and I think about the Breton period of Gauguin...precisely the work "the yellow cristo"....
....Well done!
On 21 April 2008 judy fouse gave props:
very Special.
On 21 April 2008 Serge Golub gave props:
Awesome. I love the converging lines in the crops, they sort of draw the eye to the center and up to the subject.
On 22 April 2008 Sherry Davis Johnson gave props:
That's lovely Michael
On 22 April 2008 Catherine Kurvink gave props:
I really "felt" this photograph. It's exquisite.
On 27 April 2008 Linda Merz gave props:
This is a beautiful photograph. Your words are powerful too.
On 3 May 2008 Linda Sharpton gave props:
I love it!!
On 3 May 2008 Jason Platt said:
The photoeffect almost looks shroud like. Very interesting and quite creative michael.
On 6 May 2008 Steve Hogle gave props:
Stunning!
On 8 May 2008 Laura Boston-Thek gave props:
I want to make art like THIS!! :) And I want THIS creation on my wall! WOW!
On 17 May 2008 Amanda Means gave props:
Oh My!! I love everything about this. The cross, clouds, colors and the crackle effect all makes this picture amazing!!
On 22 June 2008 Christopher Smith gave props:
Love it.
On 26 June 2008 Laurie Search gave props:
Stunning