How to Photograph a Grave Marker
When photography teachers take students on field trips, the local cemetery is a popular shooting venue---particularly if gravestones on premises have been around for hundreds of years. Shapes may have changed due to time and weathering and the text isn't always easy to make out, but for photographers, this fascinating collection of monuments quickly taps creative thoughts. What may have started out as an exercise in picture taking, often becomes a sacred experience.
Things You'll Need
- 35 mm digital camera
- 2 memory cards
- Lenses
- Cleaning kit
- Filters (optional)
- Mirror or aluminum foil (optional)
- Light meter (optional)
Instructions
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Use a digital camera with the highest megapixel count you can afford to get crisp, clear images, no matter what condition the grave markers are in. Work with a 50-55mm lens and/or a 35mm wide-angle lens. Avoid smaller lenses as they tend to distort text on headstones.
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Purchase two cards with plenty of memory: one to insert into the camera and a backup should you fill the space on the first card while you're shooting.
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Bring clean-up tools--a paint or nail brush to sweep away debris, a small shovel to relocate refuse plus wipes, rags or paper towels--to remove soil, debris, vegetation and rubbish that may obliterate the grave marker's surface. Build some insurance into your shooting experience by transferring the detail on the grave marker to paper by doing a stone rubbing so you have reference for retouching the image when you get it home.
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Photograph the grave marker(s) during the day for the best result. Opt for midday sun that shines its light at a 30-degree angle on the stone. Aim the camera directly at the surface you've selected from a crouching or prone position so the lens is in front of the inscription. Move the camera slightly to one side and then the other to "bracket" your shots for several angles---particularly if you're trying to capture bas-relief or incised words and numbers.
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Spend as much time at each grave site as possible to capture various viewpoints. Try some special effects techniques after you've taken head-on shots. Use a mirror to reflect light directly onto a specific area of the grave marker to clarify text or graphic images that are less defined. Substitute aluminum foil for the mirror if you are already carrying too much gear.
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Experiment with filters to enhance your shots. A polarizing filter will reduce potential glare and an orange filter will add contrast to the photo. Wash down the grave marker with a spray bottle of water to bring up detail, but never use detergents or other agents to avoid harming the stone. Always leave the site exactly as you found it.
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References
- Photo Credit Comstock/Comstock/Getty Images
