BamaRick

I will start by saying I am very new into photography, approximately 3 months or so. I have taken pictures for years but I am now trying to move from taking a picture to taking a desired photograph that shows expression. My question is, I am going on a group photo shoot to New Orleans this Saturday and the first area we will be shooting is a cemetery. I know about cemetery respect but I would like any advice or pointers that may help me along. I am using a Canon 60D with possibly a 55-250mm lens ( My largest lens). My other lens are a 18-55 and a 50MM.

Thanks in advance...

BamaRick

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

New Orleans cemeteries are very photogenic. They are also very cramped and you can't get much distance between you and your subject. Your shorter lens will probably work better. Try for interesting details of the monuments instead of worrying too much about getting everything in the frame. You may can get some slightly wider shots by backing down the little paths beside the rows. Take a polarizer and/.or lens hood as it can be very bright and contrasty especially with all that white marble and mid day sun. That stuff can also fool your camera meter so check your results and make any needed adjustments to get a good exposure with nothing blown out. If you shoot raw, this is a good time to use it.

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

I enjoy shooting in cemeteries. I spend more time reading head stones than shooting. I tend to think a lot about the different inscriptions and the people behind them. I think about the times they lived in and what they may have experienced. You should enjoy it.

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

duplicate

BamaRick

Thanks David. I love history and New Orleans cemetery's are full of it. I know this will be a fun trip to learn in more than one way..

Bmac Loc: Long Island, NY

Lighting is very important for dramatic and moody photos in a cemetery. Not sure what time your group is going but early morning or late afternoon will give you the best lighting for incorporating those shadows that gravestones cast......making for interesting shots.

Make sure you bring that 18-55 lens and try shooting wide with creative angles. Remember to manipulate your depth of field for the feeling you want to portray. Using a large aperture will enable you to accentuate certain features while blurring others.

If you see any workers about ask them where the most interesting graves are located. Most of all have fun! 8-)

GrayPlayer Loc: Granby, Ct.

Good place to practice with tele. See shortening affect. (think that's the right term)Detail of headstones.

BamaRick

Thanks BMAC and Gray Player. I believe we will arrive around 9 am. I will have all 3 lens with me, I wasn't real sure which lens would be the best to work with so I will try both the 18-55 and 50-250... I was think of course depending on the lighting to start around an F11 with a my ISO around 400-500.. I will tell y'all I am very excited about going on this day trip. After the cemetery we will finish up in the French Quarter... wooohooo....

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

I shot the historic "Oakland" Cemetery in Atlanta several weeks ago... Think I used my Tamron 18-50mm F2.8 the most... Lots of opportunities for creativity. Take more than just one lens as they all are tools to be used in their best ways.. Here is a link to one of my more preferred images... I'm a bit jealous though as the cemetery in New Orleans is so cool !!!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/screaminscott/13746423414/in/set-72157643717601664

indycaver Loc: Indianapolis

I shoot in local cemeteries a bit....as someone said above, the early morning/late afternoon light is best but not absolutely vital. I usually shoot in monochrome settings and use the light and shadows to create the drama and impact of the shots. Color is okay as well, just depends on what you're trying to capture in the scene. I do envy you....New Orleans is great and their cemeteries are the best! Have fun..

Effate Loc: El Dorado Hills, Ca.

I enjoy visiting the historic cemeteries and have in Boston, Philly, Brooklyn, New Orleans and others. Often you can find locals (usually college kids) at the sites who can greatly enhance your experience with their knowledge of the layout and history. They obviously expect a tip but well worth it. You may have that covered shooting with a group. The only restrictions I have ever encountered was at a national cemetery where I was asked to not shoot individual markers to respect the soldiers and their families. I assured the official I only wanted to shoot the enormity of the site and the flag adorned head stones.

chapjohn Loc: Tigard, Oregon

You have been given good advice above. When I shoot cemeteries I do not include names or dates. I am more interested in the shape, texture, and mood of the image. Avoiding the names and dates will avoid any possiblity of family memebers being traumatized by suddenly seeing the marker of their loved one on the internet. Most cemeteries also are good places for macro shots of flora. The only time I include the name is when I shoot the niche of my late wife (my name is also on that stone).

Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA

I have not shot many - I too find them interesting and the close lens works best for me - even my 18-55 is too much at times.
Here in Jackson, CA - a Gold mining town of the CA Gold rush - there is an Orthodox church and cemetery that has some magnificent carved memorials - I was doing well there one day till I found the stone of a very dear friend from 30 years ago and 150 miles away.

Bill Emmett Loc: Bow, New Hampshire

I you like to shoot cemeteries, you'll be in hog heaven in New Orleans. There is no restriction on photographing in our cemeteries. In fact there are several tombs that are world famous in the Metairie cemetery. New Orleans actually has a bus line named "Cemeteries". If your going to the cemetery near the French Quarter, you'll be looking for the tomb of Marie Levou, the voodoo queen. It is the St. Louis #1, just across Rampart/Basin St. Notice the "oven" tombs along the fence. Also the dates of burial in the other tombs, they coincide with yellow fever outbreaks. If after the Metairie cemeteries, and St. Louis #1, you want to go to Commander Palace for lunch, and across the street is St. Louis #2. Those tombs are for a more wealthy lot, since it is in the New Orleans Garden District along St. Charles Ave.
I do encourage you, and your group to be out of the cemeteries before dark. The cemeteries have been know to be a place of robberies, and theft. In New Orleans the robberies can be rather brutal. The French Quarter is really a picturesque location. Along the "River" is a nice park, with benches and open area. Plus, the park ends at Canal St. Here you can visit the Aquarium, and take a trip across the Mississippi, to Algiers Point. This is a great place to get some wonderful wide angle shots of the "City" and "French Quarter" with the Superdome in the background. It is also a great place for night shots too. There is a little restaurant/bar there for a drink or sandwich. You may want to look around the neighborhood there. The houses mostly are very old, and were originally built from "barge boards". The ferry runs until 10pm so you'll have plenty of time. When back in the "City" you may want to take a trip on the streetcar. There are two lines, St. Charles, and Canal St. The St. Charles line will take you up St.Charles Ave, in the Garden District, past Loyola University, and Tulane University. Across from Tulane, is Audubon Park, if you walk through the beautiful park, you'll find the Audubon Zoo. You can take the Magazine St. bus back to downtown. If you travel on with the streetcar, it will turn on Carrolton Ave, to the end of the line. You'll have to ride back the same way you came. You may want to explore the area long the "River". The street you will be looking for is "Decator St." It also has a streetcar line, which blends with the Canal line. The Park along the line, next to the "River" is called "The Moon Walk". It is not named after the actual moon, but the mayor who developed it, "Moon Landreau. His son is now mayor of New Orleans, and his daughter is now the U.S. Senator for Louisiana, Mary. There are benches along the walk, and refreshing breeze off the Mississippi. You'll also notice the actual "French Market" along Decator St. It is a open market that used to sell all the produce used in the City. Now, it is more a weekend flea market. As you walk further you will come to the Southern border of the French Quarter. The street called Esplanade Ave. Just cross the street and you will enter a neighborhood known as Fauberg/Marany, and walk on the street called "Frenchman St." This street has a history, it was once called "Craps Street." It is where the game Craps was invented. It is now home of several Jazz halls, the best is "Snug Harbor". There are also many restaurants, and Snug Harbor is great for dining while listening to some local Jazz. Off Decator St, you'll find Jackson Square, the St. Louis Cathedral, and Battery Park. In Battery Park, the Jackson Battery fired cannons to try to scare away whatever brought the Yellow fever. As you look at St. Louis Cathedral, the building on the right is the Cabildo, it is where the Louisiana Purchase was signed. It is now a museum, and worth a look. Keep in mind the "French Quarter" was not alway "French". France bought the City from the Spanish, to help defend Port Royal, but when Port Royal fell to the British, New Orleans had no value to the French, so it was sold to the U.S. to help pay for Neapolitan Wars. Also, the "French Quarter" was the City of New Orleans. The City almost burned to the ground in the early 1800s. It was rebuilt in the French design. This is why all the homes were built right on the edge of the sidewalk. Gardens in the French houses were in the center of the house. Houses you see with a open garden in the front, or along the street are left from the Spanish design. That is why you will see signs along the streets that label the street as "Calle" rather than "rue". Time to go, enjoy your trip to the "Big Easy".

James R. Kyle Loc: Saint Louis, Missouri (A Suburb of Ferguson)

My lens choice depends on the presented and "found object(s)".
I feel that every photographer out there who is a working photographer has their own combination of lenses to carry.
If I am on an extended photo-collecting tour I carry a wide spread of choices:

1: 8mm "fish-eye" = I do not make use of this all that often.

2: 14mm Wide-Angle = I make use of this when I wish to have a LOT of the "Big Seine" in the print. i.e.= sky, water, or anything that I wish to have the total view. (Not very often - But I carry it and when I have the need, it is there.)

3: 24-105mm = This is my "standard" 'Walk-Around' Lens. I use this one lens for just about everything I wish to capture.

4: 70-200mm 2.8f - Use for portrait and mid-telephoto work. Most - if not all - photographers have this lens.

5: 150-600mm = considered to be a "super telephoto". I use this for a lot of wildlife as I can get close without being too close.

50mm 1.4f lens (I do not often use this, however, with a bellows attachment and or extension tubes I get some really good Macros.

I have over lenses and the attachments (i.e. tele-converters (1.4X & 2X) - a set of dipolar lenses to fit the 24-105 lens for Macro work.

All this fits into a back pack and is easily accessible whenever I have the need.

If you have a "kit lens" as in a 18-130mm zoom - This would work well if you do not wish to carry All That Stuff. :-)