Face Of Boy On Tomb In Old Town Annapolis

[AUTMAN]

Hi All
I took a trip today June 29th 2009
When I saw this face on the side of the Tomb in my picture, I thought it looked like a young person.
Then I read the writing on top and it matched the age I was a little surprised.

Autman

[Tkay - Moderator]

Autman, I would just say once again and I know people hate to hear it, but it is pareidolia.

[AUTMAN]

Hi Tkay
I sort of thought it was.

But you know what really bugs me.
When someone sends in a picture with fog or mist and it has a face in it.
They call it ectoplasm.
I rarely ever here anyone say it is pareidolia.
When you consider most of our planet is made up of some kind of gases or atmosphere fog,
mist.
You never know what are atmosphere can do, and were gases my spew out of the ground or in your home.

We use so many chemicals in our homes and soils it could be anything that reactivates these chemicals.

We need to be just a critical about those pictures as we are about all the others.

If you can put a face in a cloud you can certainly put a face or objects in mist.

Thank You

Autman

[Caniswalensis]

Good point Autman.

It is very easy to find shapes or faces in a fog or mist. It's the classic "shapes in clouds" thing.

Like dust, smoke or moisture in the air is sometimes difficult to see with the naked eye, but will still reflect a camera flash and be recorded on film. Also like dust, it can show up almost anywere at all if the conditions are right. I think that it is a little easier to call 'pareidolia' on a solid object though. With a mist, it can be brought into question what the actual cause of the mist is. I have never seen a mist picture that I felt was convincing, although many people will adamantly claim that there is no natural explanation for the mist in their photo. Then it becomes a debate over what the nature of the mist is. Obviously, it would be somewhat pointless to say a face is pareidolia if it was seen in a supernatural mist.

I agree that the face in the picture is a naturally occuring pattern in the uneven coloration of the stone. I can see it plain as day, although i do nt think that it resembles the face of a young boy. It looks more like a middle aged man to me.

That cemetary is very picturesque.

Regards, Canis

[AUTMAN]

Hay Canis

My question is what really determines what is supernatant mist ?

Anyway I agree this is a very picturesque place.

Here are a couple more pictures you may like.

Autman

[Caniswalensis]

Hi Autman,

Those pics are fantastic! Thanks for posting them. I soooo want a skull and cross bones on my headstone now. :-)

Since there is no actual scientific or objective way to measure if a mist is supernatural or not, we all have to look at each case and make our own subjective judgement of that. I always go the logic route, and I suppose that is why I have never seen a photo of mist that was convincing to me. Others may have their own subjective criteria that they judge by, and so may come to different conclusions. Not a very good answer, but I guess it's about all we have.

Regards, Canis

[AUTMAN]

I thought you would like the Skull and Crossbones.

I guess I have to go back to that same old statement which is there are no rule books on how a spirit wants to show themselves.
So I guess we really don't know what is a real spirit really is or how to prove it ?

If you can't duplicate it by taking several pictures at the same time and angle then it may be something worth looking at.

Autman

[Jane]

I love the art that we see on tombstones. when I went to Sleepy Hollow I took alot of photos of the art and carving on the tombstones. i wanted to make an album of it on webshots but never got around to it. In college I took a course on folk art and one of the chapters was on cemetery art and what the different symbols and images mean. I think it is an awesome thing to photograph and study. the skull and cross bones is awesome - never seen anything like it. keep it coming. maybe we can compile a group of cemetery art work - LC - that should be a section by itself where we could post unusual and beautiful art we have found in cemeteries!!!!

[AUTMAN]

Hi Jane
There is some incredible forms of art on grave stones and tombs that you will never see anywhere else.
I totally agree with you we need to have a special post section just for it.
I would hope that LC would love this idea, and agree we could find a special interest in viewers.
It is also a way to honor those who work at this form of art,and never get recognition for there incredible artistic talent.

Thank you for bringing it up,and here is one more from the grave of Maryland Governor Sir Robert Eden Bart.

Autman

[Tkay - Moderator]

Here are three sites that will give you the meaning of the symbols.

http://www.angelfire.com/ky2/cemetery/reid.html

http://www.vintageviews.org/vv-tl/pages/Cem_Symbolism.htm

http://www.buffaloah.com/a/forestL/symbols/index.html

[Jane]

thanks Tkay - it is great to have that info as well on the meanings.

do you think we could have a forum header for cemetery art or tombstone art so we could share our photos. Maybe you could discuss with LC and Kat and see if you think that would be a fun new topic for discussion.

thanks
jane

[Tkay - Moderator]

I will pass the information on. LC is on vacation right now.

[AUTMAN]

Thanks Tkay


Very good Information.

Autman