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Posting cemetery shots.
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Mar 30, 2019 06:32:13   #
billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
 
moosus wrote:
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
Among other things, I like taking shots in cemeter... (show quote)


If I do do cemeteries, its shown as a big contrast of white tombstones against a very dark brooding sky or background, my tomb stones are so highlighted that names would never show.
As for posting someone else's tomb stone that can be identified by name, NO THANKS. That is just something I would not post.
I am sure though that many here feel that anything in PUBLIC view is fair game and there are NO rules that apply to them. For those folks, I could say something about you, but it would not change your minds.

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Mar 30, 2019 07:03:34   #
Stephan G
 
moosus wrote:
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
Among other things, I like taking shots in cemeter... (show quote)


The same questions that go for street photography go for graveyard photography. And the replies will go along the same hair splitting.

I have always enjoyed the older cemeteries for the diversity and histories. Many also for the statuary.

Private cemeteries should be considered to be private properties. Hence permission should be obtained.

I, for one, enjoy viewing images of the various cemetwries.

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Mar 30, 2019 07:21:39   #
tommyII Loc: Northern Illinois
 
treadwl wrote:
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.


I totally agree. Names on a tombstone are there so the person can be remembered. I see no disrespect in photographing something that is already out in public.

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Mar 30, 2019 07:47:45   #
Nikon1201
 
I took a road trip through the South and photographed cemeteries pre 1900 . I got wonderful photos of the Civil War , American Indian War etc. I got beautiful photos of these old decaying headstones . Also the emotion you feel being in among these American hero’s .

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Mar 30, 2019 07:58:38   #
pithydoug Loc: Catskill Mountains, NY
 
moosus wrote:
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
Among other things, I like taking shots in cemeter... (show quote)


Cemeteries can have have interesting lines, shadows, textures, etc. I don't see any disrespect, in fact just the opposite.

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Mar 30, 2019 08:22:14   #
sb Loc: Florida's East Coast
 
A cemetery is a place to put a public monument to those who have gone. As public monuments, you should have no angst about taking photographs. If I think about public monuments for my own family members - from grave markers to a name on the Vietnam Memorial Wall, I have no problem with the idea of someone taking a photo and could not imagine anyone having a problem with that. I think the only exception would be taking photos of actions that would show disrespect.

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Mar 30, 2019 09:05:33   #
Glenn Harve
 
If you feel its wrong, heed that. If one is honest about the purpose of what you are doing, then you will know. Everything else is an excuse. You know what i am saying.

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Mar 30, 2019 09:42:41   #
Mister H Loc: Michigan
 
moosus wrote:
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
Among other things, I like taking shots in cemeter... (show quote)


I do the same for my own genealogy as well as Find A Grave dot com. To me it helps others with genealogy, people that live to far to visit (who does that anymore?) and the loved one is remembered. Of course I take it a step further by cleaning up the marker area (for a clear view of the marker) and always find a veteran’s site that needs cleaning. Of course the creative photo opportunities abound.

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Mar 30, 2019 09:56:28   #
frankraney Loc: Clovis, Ca.
 
jerryc41 wrote:
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? : )


Jerry, I have had photos denied because license plates of vehicles were visable on public streets. Idea was the vehicle owner can be found, and that owner may be somewhere they should not be. Or someone could just trace the plate and contact the owner.

Go figure. Didn't make a and still don't, much sense to me.

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Mar 30, 2019 10:17:58   #
srt101fan
 
I have taken many pictures in many cemeteries and in different countries (I even have a category "Cemeteries" in my digital asset management database). But you can't just assume it's OK to take pictures in a graveyard. As I said before, you have to respect religious, cultural and privacy considerations that may be applicable to a particular site.

Two points for those of you endorsing the position that graves are in public view and therefore are fair game for your camera: Just because the cemeteries are in public view doesn't mean they are "public".....Also, the OP asked about "posting cemetery shots", not just about taking them.

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Mar 30, 2019 11:07:56   #
cmcaroffino Loc: Sebring, FL
 
I too search out old cemeteries and find them interesting and great photo opportunities. The eastern states especially have tombstones dating back to the early 1700's and some to the 1600's. I find myself wondering what their life story was. As others have mentioned I am always respectful and the pictures I take are for my own enjoyment. Most cemeteries I have seen are public and if they are private they are usually marked as such so I say enjoy yourself.

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Mar 30, 2019 11:15:02   #
Architect1776 Loc: In my mind
 
moosus wrote:
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
Among other things, I like taking shots in cemeter... (show quote)


No problem.
Public monuments designed to advertise the worm meat underneath them.
Think boot hill Tombstone.

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Mar 30, 2019 11:21:53   #
out4life2016 Loc: Bellingham, Washington
 
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


That would be a question for a law office. Even though the cemetery is public the individual grave site is purchased and owned by the family so is it really considered public. If the names are able to be read and you turn a profit off the photo then I believe you may be sued however im not positive and consulting a law firm would be your best action to take. I have shot several shoots in a cemetery but have always done it where the names could not be read.

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Mar 30, 2019 11:50:41   #
In-lightened Loc: Kansas City
 
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.


Hubby is a genealogist and seconds this post..."it's a really good thing" He goes on to say that the really small cemeteries are at risk as older headstones fall and are covered.

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Mar 30, 2019 11:58:32   #
larryepage Loc: North Texas area
 
This discussion has kind of gotten fixated on the privacy and cultural aspects of cemeteries, which in today's sort of twisted world unfortunately are necessary to think about.

I think the other side of this is important to consider also...the aesthetics of images captured in cemeteries. One of my favorite images and prints was taken in the old Mexican cemetery in Terlingua, with the new town in the background and a really strong sky. (It is posted in the Gallery). That image also did well in a recent contest. But my wife says it is never going on any wall in our house.

Oh, well...

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