How to Photograph Old Gravestones

Document gravestones while researching family history.

Gravestones can shed light on the history of families and their relationships for several decades or even centuries. Forgo the notion of pencil and paper rubbings to record information from a gravestone. This dated method can deteriorate the soft, brittle stone of old a gravestone, advises Geneology.com. Documenting these historical markers with photography preserves the memory of the deceased long after the cemeteries cease to exist. Creating a clear, sharp image with distinguishable features and lettering doesn't require an elaborate camera or difficult techniques; it just takes patience and a few uncommon photography tricks.

Things You'll Need

• Full-length mirror
• Spray bottle
• Distilled water
• Tripod
• 35mm digital camera
• Wide angle to mid-range lens

Instructions

1. Go to the cemetery on a sunny day in the afternoon. Look for old gravestones with sunlight reflecting off the surface of the stone at an angle. Use an inexpensive full-length mirror to maneuver sunlight back onto the gravestone. Watch for shadows to fill the engraved letters, to make the writing more pronounced.

2. Spray a fine mist of distilled water over the face of the gravestone. Allow the water to moisten the grooved areas, making them easier to read and record on a photograph. The surface of the stone will dry first, leaving the carved letters and numbers wet and easier to view.

3. Move to eye level with the gravestone. Squat, sit or lie on the ground to document the gravestone head-on without distortion. Use a tripod to steady the camera, if you're physically unable to stoop.

4. Use a 35mm digital SLR camera fitted with wide angle to mid-range lens, such as s 35mm to 75mm lens. Set the camera to the highest resolution and lowest compression setting available using the camera's set-up menu. Choose a film speed equivalent of ASA 200 and an automatic exposure setting.

5. Shoot a close-up picture showing the entire face of the gravestone. Use a zoom feature on the camera lens or your feet to get closer and follow-up with detailed pictures of individual areas of interest, such as religious motifs, extremely worn numbers, and letters or verses of poetry.

6. Stand up and take a wider angle picture showing the featured gravestone's placement among neighboring gravestones. Shoot a picture of the entire family plot, if available. Go to the front of the cemetery and photograph the entrance, including a sign stating the name of the cemetery. This adds historical value to your collection of photographs.

Tips & Warnings

• Using a digital camera makes it easy to share photographs of old gravestones on genealogy research websites and via email with physically distant family members.

References

• Geneaology.com: Tips for Photographing Gravestones
• Charles County Maryland Genelogiccal Society: Guide to Photographing Headstones for the Charles County Cemetery Transcription Project
• Bits of Blue and Gray: Gravestone Cleaning and Photographing