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Archiver > GenMassachusetts > 1999-04 > 0923988800


From: irish690 <>
Subject: Re: Photographing old tombstones
Date: Tue, 13 Apr 1999 00:33:20 -0700


>To: William Hoisington <>
>From: irish690 <>
>Subject: Re: Photographing old tombstones
>In-Reply-To: <>
>References: <00b401be8498$e2fed700$>
<>
>
>Darcy knows of what she speaks! With B&W film in your camera, bracket 1
stop either side of your auto exposure setting, one of the 3 shots is bound
to turn out. If you want added insurance simply use a yellow (sorry don't
have the filter # handy) filter, for even more contrast try orange, and for
utmost use a red filter. Avoid taking the shots 2 hours before noon, or 2
hrs after, if possible. Sun will wash out the detail on headstones. If
shooting in color, try Fuji film 200 ASA. Fuji tends toward the green
spectrum of colors, Kodak toward red. If indoubt about the exposure, try
metering the palm of your hand, or carry a small gray scale card available
at pro photo shops, they will also help you choose an all purpose yellow
filter to carry with you in your camera bag. So much better than applying
ANYTHING to the stone itself.

Gena Lally
>
>
>At 04:56 PM 4/12/99 -0400, you wrote:
>>I've had luck with marble headstones using a black and white film,
bracketing both
>>sides of the focus setting and then looking at the negatives.... the
inscriptions
>>come out in the negative lighter than the back ground stone.
>>Darcy
>>
>>Deb wrote:
>>
>>> I recently took photos of numerous headstones - all made of granite and/or
>>> slate. I did absolutely nothing to them and they came out perfectly. I
know
>>> people will use mirrors, spray bottles to wet the stones, etc. but I
didn't have
>>> to do anything at all. The only material I haven't photographed is
marble and
>>> you may have problems with that no matter what you do. The old marble
stones get
>>> very pitted.
>>> I used a 35 mm camera with 200 speed film.
>>> have fun!
>>> deb
>>>
>>> The James Family wrote:
>>>
>>> > Any suggestions on phtographing old tombstones? The cemetaries up
here are
>>> > finally out from under thier blanket of snow and I'd like to get my
pictures
>>> > before the black flies come out. I figure taking a picture of the
stone is a
>>> > much better and safer way to get a record of them.
>>> >
>>> > TIA
>>> >
>>> > D James
>>> >
>>
>>
>>
>>

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