How Do You 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. 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. 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. Bring clean-up tools–a paint or nail brush to sweep away debris, a small shovel to relocate refuse plus wip
