1. Tombstone Photography
Dick Eastman
29 September 2012

2. Today’s Presentation is Available
Online at:
http://www.eogn.com/handouts/to
mbstone

3. Tombstone Photography
• I have an unusual hobby:
– I collect tombstones

4. Tombstone Photography

5. Tombstone Photography
• Today’s objectives:
– To show you some of my collection
– To show you how I collected these images

6. What is the appropriate camera?
• Lots of pixels (6 megapixels or more)
• A good lens

7. What is the appropriate camera?
Pocket Camera? Or an SLR?

8. What is the appropriate camera?

9. Use a Tripod!
• The secret for razor-sharp pictures is a steady
platform
– Don’t move!

10. Use a Tripod!

11. Or a Monopod

12. How to Make the Letters Readable?

13. How to Make the Letters Readable?

14. How to Make the Letters Readable?
• There are two classic recommendations but both are
controversial!
– Chalk
– Shaving cream
• Many genealogists believe that both will damage a
tombstone but some scientists disagree.

15. • “One bird feasting on
mulberries will leave more
acids on a tombstone than a
case of shaving cream!”

16. How to Make the Letters Readable?
• Spray some water on the tombstone!

17. How to Make the Letters Readable?

18. Sometimes You Get Lucky

19. Sometime You Get Lucky

20. How NOT to Make the Letters Readable

21. Tombstone Photography

22. Recommendation:
• Use a slow shutter speed
• And use lots of light!

23. If the area is shady, bounce some
light!

24. If the area is shady, bounce some
light!

25. If the area is shady, bounce some
light!

26. If the area is shady, bounce some
light!

27. If the area is shady, bounce some
light!

28. Add Depth of Field! How Big is That
Tombstone?

29. Add Depth of Field! How Big is That
Tombstone?

30. Tombstone?

34. Some Example Photographs

35. Tombstones Often Provide Clues About the
Deceased or the Family

36. Some Example Photographs

37. Some Example Photographs

38. Tombstones Often Provide Clues About the
Deceased or the Family

39. Tombstones Often Provide Clues About the
Deceased or the Family

40. Tombstones Often Provide Clues About the
Deceased or the Family

41. Tombstones Often Provide Clues About the
Deceased or the Family

42. Tombstones Often Provide Clues About the
Deceased or the Family

43. You Might Find a Family Tree on a
Tombstone

44. You Might Find a Family Tree on a
Tombstone

45. Tombstones Often Provide Clues About the
Deceased or the Family

46. Tombstones Often Provide Clues About the
Deceased or the Family

47. Tombstones Often Provide Clues About the
Deceased or the Family

48. Tombstones Often Provide Clues About the
Deceased or the Family

49. Tombstones Often Provide Clues About the
Deceased or the Family

50. Tombstones Sometimes Provide Puzzles!

51. Tombstones Sometimes Provide Puzzles!

52. Tombstones Sometimes Provide Puzzles!

53. Some Unusual Tombstones

54. Some Unusual Tombstones

55. Some Unusual Tombstones

56. Some Unusual Tombstones

57. Some Unusual Tombstones

58. Tombstone Photography

59. Some Unusual Tombstones

60. Some Unusual Tombstones

61. Some Unusual Tombstones

62. Tombstone Photography

63. Tombstone Photography

64. Today’s Presentation is Available
Online at:
http://www.eogn.com/handouts/to
mbstone