(photographing with the soul)
John Gray:
A very complex and layered photograph with great light, variations in texture, repeating shapes/forms, good composition, etc. Please explain how all that is possible without looking through the viewfinder? As we've discussed quite a bit, I think the real achievement in this photograph is the feeling of capturing energy. Light as a force, metaphor for the soul, ethereal. The light really does look like it comes from the great beyond. The composition (again without your looking) is spot on. The headstone is offset nicely to the left. The arches of the headstones harmonize. An incredible shadow on the stone itself with multiple star patterns: the large "GAR" star, the stars on the flag, and the outline of the flag and its shadow make a sharp star form too. The range of tones is very compelling from light to dark and there is also that great bit of painted light in the foreground. Maybe keep the viewfinder taped over all the time?
Ceramic medallion - soldier:
Light again takes the stage and exudes otherworldliness. Makes sense in a graveyard? Perhaps that crack in the photograph is the soul/sprit escaping its earthly hold. Wide open to interpretation and you give us plenty of ambiguity (the good kind!). Another spot on composition that includes a piece of the background (my immediate desire was to crop it out). The piece of background shows the flag (and as you state) speaks to the man's life as a soldier. In fact, star forms litter the entire photograph: the actual stars on the flag, the star medallion on his chest, the star shape of the glass/ceramic crack. I particularly like how 4/5ths of the image is dominated by the incredible contrast of stone texture against smooth photo ceramic. The dark decorative cuts are graphically potent too and wouldn't be nearly as powerful in flat light. Well conceived.
Grave and wall:
Maybe my least favorite of the three, but still a good image with much to talk about. What I appreciate immediately is the common thread of light as a force, form, energy. The top of the headstone looks as if it might catch fire at any moment. The top edge of the retaining wall answers in like form. Is it luck or just the unconscious mind getting something good on "film". A nice contrast in textures helps this photo along—white headstone line against the middle gray grassy texture. Contrasts in both texture and tone. Also a good example of how to get quite a lot from seemingly very little. The image isn't as complete as the others, but may point you in the way for similarly abstract approaches.
Final Thoughts:
I'm never surprised when students end up getting very good photographs without using the viewfinder. Your pictures effectively put light front and center. Each image has a very ethereal quality and resonance. Even though the last image is more abstract, it still speaks to the other images. Nice continuity image to image, good compositions. Nice work.