Hey Vince,
That is creative. Sometime ago there was a demonstration on using a mirror
to reflect the sun into the stone. A new shinny cookie sheet was used too, and
much easier to carry. I did by a spotlight like you mentioned, its rechargeable.
I'll have to give that a try.
I find the tombstone inscriptions reveal themselves more after a few hard
frosts. It puts the molds and lichens in a dormant state. It's like night
and day sometimes. I thought I was crazy when I looked at photos from
the same cemetery. (be nice) I had discovered a cemetery in late November
and took a few photos. They were so clear, I went back in late April the next
year and they were already green with mold and were not readable.
After seven years of photographing there are many tips to share.
I usually photograph the Granite stone on a cloudy day. I have to many
photos with my body and legs showing. Oooh.
Take the time to look over a cemetery and see where the big trees are located.
I try to go photograph anything under them in March and early April before
the leaves return. Any wooded areas I try to get to before the end of March.
Before I started scrubbing the real dirty tombstones I tried to go out after a
summer rain. When the stone are wet, it seems to help too. And sometimes
it just takes several scrubs to get the results.
I saved this article on this subject.
http://www.genealogy.com/64_gravestones.html?Welcome=1017116027
Angela, thanks for your explanation. I also scrub the rocks, or field stones.
They do reveal hidden information. I have a couple linked.
http://www.rootsweb.com/~inpcrp/M_LRM_Wyandotte.JPG
http://www.rootsweb.com/~inpcrp/John_Ulry1837_handcarved.JPG
I've been through seven digital cameras. I can't have movable parts anymore
because I have to lay it down to scrub the stones.
LA
----- Original Message -----
From: <VinceKoers(a)aol.com>
To: <inpcrp(a)rootsweb.com>
Sent: Thursday, November 29, 2007 1:07 PM
Subject: Re: [INPCRP] New Technology Unreadable Stones
Reading stones - We have been using a very powerful automotive spot
light to
read stones, and the technique works very well, allowing you to light from
various angles, etc, and minimizes the need to be at the stone with a specific
daylight condition. It is one more tool that ought to be in your kit bag
Vince