Posting cemetery shots: Among other things, I like taking shots in cemeteries. Rows of tombstones on rolling green hills, trees, statuary, crypts, haunting messages, flowers carefully...

moosus

Among other things, I like taking shots in cemeteries. Rows of tombstones on rolling green hills, trees, statuary, crypts, haunting messages, flowers carefully placed, lots of opportunities. But what about the names? Is there some sort of protocol, short of showing respect for the past and common sense, about putting these sort of captures on the Web? When sitting at home, viewing the captures on my monitor, I sometimes feel like I'm doing something unnatural(?). I get the feeling I shouldn't even go there. The only place I would post the shots would be here for critique or Flickr, just because they might be interesting. Your POV please. MM

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

They're on display out in the public for anyone to see. It's like people blocking a license plate when the post a picture of a car. Do they cover the plate when they're out driving? : )

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

Shoot away!
Enjoy your hobby—by shooting in cemeteries, you are showing no disrespect, perhaps the opposite.

tommy2 Loc: Fort Worth, Texas

Cemeteries are great places to visit to get the feel of the area culture. Saw one flat grave marker the other day with the the words , "Dragon Lady" and footprints of a cat (?) engraved diagonally across it.

treadwl Loc: South Florida

The ancient Egyptian believed that as long as someone spoke your name you lived on.

I've always thought that photographing a tombstone photo served that purpose.

Keep on shooting.

rmcgarry331

Please check out FindaGrave at www.findagrave.com. There are many memorials posted there that need tombstone photos, and you can create and post a memorial for anyone who does not already have one.

The Genealogical community will be most appreciative of your photographic efforts.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

rmcgarry331 wrote:

Please check out FindaGrave at www.findagrave.com. There are many memorials posted there that need tombstone photos, and you can create and post a memorial for anyone who does not already have one.

The Genealogical community will be most appreciative of your photographic efforts.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

In a cemetery near me there is a lone stone for Marston.
I shot it because "Marston" was the antagonist in "Quigly Down Under".
(Love that movie.)

srt101fan

moosus wrote:

Among other things, I like taking shots in cemeter... (show quote)

Good topic for discussion....

While I tend to agree (or want to agree) with the thrust of the comments made so far, I am reminded of a visit to a Native American pueblo where we were told NOT to take photos of the cemetery.

So religious and local cultural considerations should be important factors in your decisions.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

srt101fan wrote:

Good topic for discussion....

While I tend to agree (or want to agree) with the thrust of the comments made so far, I am reminded of a visit to a Native American pueblo where we were told NOT to take photos of the cemetery.

So religious and local cultural considerations should be important factors in your decisions.

Yes!

moosus

Thanks to all. I was worried about blowback from offended parties and lawsuits. But it is in the public purview, isn't it. I'll fire away. Thnx. MM

srt101fan

moosus wrote:

Thanks to all. I was worried about blowback from offended parties and lawsuits. But it is in the public purview, isn't it. I'll fire away. Thnx. MM

Be careful, and, as I said before, consider religious and cultural factors. Not all cemeteries are "public". Also, some cemeteries attached to churches may have some restrictions.

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

Go ahead and do it. If by unlikely chance someone contacts you and requests that you to remove one or more of the uploaded images for sake of respect, then politely remove those specific images.

Stardust Loc: Central Illinois

As long as you are not using photos in a disrespectful way I don't see how anyone could complain of something in a public cemetery. I went on 33 Honor Flights to DC as a board member/guardian and use to help look up tombstone photos for those who had friends or relatives buried at Arlington, because we didn't have time or couldn't stop near them. If that cemetery has a registry of photos at one of America's most sacred ground go for it.

Real Nikon Lover Loc: Simi Valley, CA

Great topic. I have been a member of Find-a-Grave almost since its inception. When I retire (soon) I will spend more time fulfilling grave site photo requests. I have been to a couple of cemeteries that actually have changed their policy about people coming in and taking photos because of the new rush to photograph graves. I find thata cell phone or bridge camera is handy in these cases. I always print out the online request for photo and carry it with me in case I get questioned by proprietor.