This was a totally new way of dealing with death to me.
Malacca is a small seaside town in southern Malaysia. It has many Chinese residents, a majority of whom are still quite poor. When the family members die, there is usually very little money to give them a grave in a graveyard, so there are a multitude of shrines and temples in which families erect these miniature tombstones, stacked deep in rows. There are thousands and thousands of them. A photo is attached to each one, and most waste away with time. A few solitary ones remain behind.
In other news, there was a recent interview by the Homebody Blogger that I have been meaning to post. It has the over-the-top title of “Master of HDR Photography, Trey Ratcliff”. Well I don’t know about all that (!), but here is a link to the interview for you.
May 27th, 2009 00:44 | Catalin
Love this shot. Very moody!
May 27th, 2009 00:45 | Zak Shelhamer
yeah powerful photo! crazy to think about. thanks
May 27th, 2009 00:50 | Stuck In Customs
Thanks. Yes… I have a few from this place.
There was a nearby shop that sold all sorts of things you can buy to burn at a small nearby pyre. That is an interesting story in itself too.
May 27th, 2009 01:36 | George McKnight
A very poignant shot Trey, and a nice vignette treatment to the shot, well done
May 27th, 2009 04:52 | Asyraf Ahmad
Nice shot Trey…like this very much..
another thing that you need to know Trey…Malacca also have an entire industry that produce goods exclusively for the dead…
May 27th, 2009 05:30 | Collin Strohbach
Very nice shot… Gives you somehow the shivers wish is good cause it means it touches!
Tell me, this Interview at this blogger site never took place? He invented this?
May 27th, 2009 05:39 | Jess Hughes
This is a very haunting image. What a unique way to honor the dead – it’s a far cry from the “tomb city” image from Argentina that you posted somewhat recently! It’s amazing how many different ways people have come up with to remember their deceased loved ones, and yet it’s all a means towards the same end. No pun intended.
Great interview as well, Trey. I like your advice for aspiring artists.
May 27th, 2009 08:10 | Gail Stayton Moshier
A very haunting picture, indeed, Trey. So many different customs when it comes to honoring our loved ones that have left us. I have noticed that more and more here in the U.S. are including an image on gravestones. I, personally, wouldn’t do that as I would like to remember them alive. But it will give future generations a look into the past. Thanks for sharing your work with us and the link to your interview!!
May 27th, 2009 08:19 | Patrick Ahles
Magnificent mood, so very different then we’re used to.
May 27th, 2009 09:22 | scott webb
A very powerful image of honoring the passing of people/family.
I’ll have to check out the interview because I’ve listened to the others in the past and found most things discussed in line with my thoughts and path. One day hope to meet up during an HDR photo outing.
May 27th, 2009 10:22 | Sylvia
This tells a story so simply and beautifully. Well done.
May 27th, 2009 12:20 | Jupp
Fantastic blog, fantastic template and beautiful pictures. Congratulations
May 27th, 2009 13:48 | Scott
I am a budding photographer, an amateur at best, and thought I would thank you for your blog. Taught me a lot. I put something together using HDR on YouTube that combined HDR photography, music. Here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yx5QG4_EZPM&feature=channel_page
I wanted to just send an email, but I can’t figure out how to contact you through your blog.
Again, thanks for your help!!
May 27th, 2009 14:52 | Stuck In Customs
Thanks all!
Collin – I am not sure what you mean by your question. It was an email interview… I just wrote back the answers via email for publication.
May 27th, 2009 15:36 | casusan
Awesome interview Trey – and wonderful shot and story!
May 29th, 2009 08:26 | Joey de Weerd
Very emotional image !!
May 29th, 2009 08:58 | Collin Strohbach
I was just confused by “Well I don’t know about all that (!)” but realized by now that this was referring to the Title “Master of HDR Photography, Trey Ratcliff”. I thought you didn’t know about the whole interview
Hey Trey, it would be an honor for me if you could check out my latest HDR Images which practically only exist cause of the inspiration you gave me
Could take some honest and constructive critic!!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/collins-pics/
Of cause I will understand if you are to busy!
Thanks!
You are my Hero!!!
June 6th, 2009 22:37 | kimberly
eerie and beautiful – Trey, you are the dopest of the dope dude. I love your work. You are amazing.