Here is an article on the subject from
Genealogy.com regarding taking
pictures. It's probably more than you wanted to know but it may help. It
touches briefly on rubbing's. I cut and pasted the article below.
http://www.genealogy.com/64_gravestones.html
Most of what I read states that rubbings are "bad" as it ultimately damages
the stone. Take a look at the references you find and judge for yourself.
Here is another link that tells you how to do rubbings.
http://www.amberskyline.com/treasuremaps/t_stone.html This shows a method
that does not rub directly on the stone.
dale
Tips for Photographing Gravestones
by Maureen Taylor
There is so much misinformation available on the right way to document a
gravestone marker that it is a wonder that any of them are still standing.
These monuments to our ancestors are permanent reminders of a loved one when
properly cared for. Unfortunately, a lot of damage is innocently done in the
name of preservation. For instance, the common practice of creating a
rubbing is actually harmful and in some states is illegal. Many school
groups studying local history make rubbings of gravestone markers to use in
the classroom. However, rubbings are abrasive and damage the surface of the
stone by eventually wearing away the carving or loosening bits of soft
stone. Even the most careful and gentle rubbing causes decay.
Photography offers an alternative. With the right equipment, bright sunlight
and a little patience you can use images of headstones for educational
purposes or add them to a family photo archive. Taking a picture is an ideal
way to document the information on the stone without causing deterioration.
Once you have taken these pictures, why not add them to the online Virtual
Cemetery to create a memorial to your ancestors? You will be able to share
your discoveries with other researchers. You can also transfer the
gravestone images into a Family Tree Maker scrapbook for those individuals
thus adding depth to your genealogical data.
By using these helpful tips you will be able to create professional looking
images of cemetery markers.
Basic Requirements
Patience
Photographing gravestones takes planning. You may have to wait several days
for the right combination of factors such as light and weather in order to
take the best possible images. Rushing the process will only result in poor
quality photos.
Light
Bright sunlight is necessary to highlight the stone's features. Ideally
midday sun that hits the stone at a 30-degree angle is best. Other types of
sunlight emphasize imperfections in the stone and can make the carving look
flat. The stone's location influences when that might be available. For
instance, gravestones in New England often face west and are best
photographed at midday, while stones that face north should be photographed
in the late afternoon. Those facing south are well-lit all day in midsummer
but not during the rest of the year.
You can improve the quality of light by reflecting it with a mirror to
highlight the stone and carving. A plastic full-length mirror works well.
Ideally, the stone should not be taller than the mirror. If you are only
focusing on a section then a small mirror can be used. Since you will need
to position the mirror it would be helpful to have either a partner or a
tripod with you. If the sunlight is too strong you can create some shading
by either standing in front of the direct sunlight or by using a large dark
cloth or cardboard as a shield. If the stone is located in the shadows, you
may be able to use two mirrors to help you reflect light. Keep in mind that
you still need a sunny day.
Equipment
Type of Camera
The Association For Gravestone Studies recommends using a 35 mm SLR that is
outfitted with either a 50-55mm lens or a wide angle 35mm lens for crowded
areas. Smaller lenses will distort the straight lines in the image. If you
intend to digitize the pictures, you might want to use a digital camera. It
will reduce the number of steps involved in digitizing the image and save
you the expense of film processing.
Film
If you are utilizing a 35 mm SLR, either black and white or color film can
be used. Black and white Tri-x film is a good choice. Filters can be helpful
when shooting black and white images. An orange filter increases the
contrast while a polarizing filter can reduce glare. Exposure times of
1/250th or 1/500th are suggested. Color film with an ASA of 200 shot at
1/250th of a second should yield a good result.
Technique
Since you are creating a record of the cemetery in addition to photographing
a single stone you should take several images of the same marker. For
example:
One showing the whole cemetery.
Shoot an image that includes the closest stones and provides context.
Photograph the whole gravestone so that inscription and carving are visible.
Make sure to take at least one picture where the inscription fills the
camera frame.
Unless you are extremely lucky, most of the stones you want to photograph
will not be straight due to ground settling. In the case of leaning stones,
tilting the camera should eliminate the slant.
Background
As you focus the camera you may notice distracting background elements such
as telephone poles, trees and other monuments. Since you want your picture
to be essentially about the stones you are photographing, you need to
eliminate those articles. You can use a background cloth or cardboard as a
backdrop, but make sure that whatever you use is free of imperfections or
they will be more distracting than the original problems. If you are going
to photograph a large number of cemetery monuments you may want to invest in
a piece of Formica mounted on 1/4 inch plywood. Be sure to have a handhold
cut into the side for easy carrying. Any store that manufactures kitchen
counters should be able to provide what you need. A neutral shade other than
gray enhances the appearance of the stone.
Other Ways to Improve the Quality of the Photograph
Cleaning the Stone
Cleaning a cemetery stone is a controversial topic. The first rule of
conservation and preservation is to cause no damage. Unfortunately, by using
household cleaners, chalk and shaving cream to enhance the lettering you may
injure the surface in ways that are not readily apparent. Caution should be
used before you destroy what you set out to preserve.
Over the centuries several different types of stones have been used to
create gravestones. Some of the stones are quite porous and fragile, while
others are resistant to damage. Be careful when attempting to improve the
readability of the inscription.
Types of stone:
Prior to the Nineteenth century: Sandstone or slate
Nineteenth Century: Marble and gray granite
Late nineteenth century to the present: Polished granite or marble
There are a few things that you can do that will not cause injury.
A soft brush or natural sponge and water will help you remove surface soil.
Gentle brushing should remove surface dirt and bird droppings. Power washing
should not be used; water should flow over the stone or be delicately
sprayed onto the surface. Never use hard objects or stiff brushes to clean
the stone. Removing lichens with sharp objects may inadvertently destroy the
surface.
Not all cemeteries are regularly maintained. By trimming tall weeds around
the base of the stone and cutting the grass you may discover epitaphs hidden
under the overgrowth.
Documentation
Local historians and genealogists have transcribed inscription information
for generations. Many of these handwritten and typewritten efforts are now
being entered into databases, some of which are available online. What is
innovative is the use of photography to create a photographic record of both
the inscription and the carvings. By using a pictorial representation of the
headstone as part of the database, you are able to see what actually appears
on the stone including both the epitaph and the artistic carving. It is a
record of what the cemetery marker looked like at a particular time before
further damage occurs or the stone disappears.
----- Original Message -----
From: <Kypeon(a)aol.com>
To: <CARMACK-L(a)rootsweb.com>
Sent: Wednesday, March 28, 2001 11:34 AM
Subject: Re: Carmack Graves
> RE: Tombstones
> Does anyone remember reading an email (maybe not on the Carmack
List)
> about how to photograph old tombstones so that the lettering can
be read
in
> the pictures??
> Somewhere, someone wrote that you could rub something on the tombstone
before
> taking the photograph. I just can't recall what it was that they used.
It
> certainly made a big difference in the picture. Maybe shaving cream?
BUT, I
> seem to recall someone else commenting that you must be careful about
putting
> stuff like that on a tombstone because it might cause extra
deterioration.
> ANY IDEAS?? The solution must have run into the cracks and
lettering of
the
> stone to darken them for easy photography.
> Pat
>
>
> ==== CARMACK Mailing List ====
> I only work on genealogy on days that end in Y.
>
>
==== CARMACK Mailing List ====
I only work on genealogy on days that end in Y.