Photographing Cemetaries

[pax]

Hi all.I'm going to start taking photo's of cemetaries soon and just want to know if there are any others on this forum that do the same? Have you had anyone protest that you do and how do you handle it? What sort of protocol do you have when taking photo's in the cemetary?
Now i understand how people can think this is weird,But really i feel a kind of otherworldly peace when i visit a cemetary,and i want to try and capture the peaceful beauty that one can only realy find there.and want to do it in black and white.
I mainly only want to take photo's of early tombstones and the sculptures of such..
Any advice comments would be appreciated..

[natek313]

I don't necessarily take photos in cemeteries, but I have taken a few. I would approach it how you would anything else - find something interesting, think about the composition, etc.

However, I would probably do a little research on the legalities. I see you're from South Africa, and I don't know the laws there, but here in the United States, cemeteries are private property, and, if I'm not mistaken, each grave site is considered private property. Photographing private property may be restricted. If nothing else, you may want to contact the cemetery management prior to shooting anything.

[k8et]

I don't know if the private property thing is really an issue. A friend of mine took many photos in graveyards around the country, and published a tarot-like deck of cards with the images. I really don't think she had to track down all the families that owned the graves in order to do so, but I could ask her if there's enough interest in knowing...

(ETA: this is in the US btw)

[ukglyn]

I have taken photo's in cemetries in the past & never had a problem, I ALWAYS make sure I respect evrything as it is & never move or touch anything.
Legally, in the U.K I never had a problem!

[WPCatfish]

The only thing I would shy away from is taking pictures of a burial or mourners without permission.

Are you looking for anything in particular in a cemetery?

[SoxAddict]

I too have taken shots in a cemetery and never had any problems (in the US). I guess I'd just be sure not to be taking pics in the vicinity of where people were paying their respects.

[ukglyn]

Originally Posted by SoxAddict

I too have taken shots in a cemetery and never had any problems (in the US). I guess I'd just be sure not to be taking pics in the vicinity of where people were paying their respects.

Yeah good point Nicky I haver also never took pics of people in the cemetry.

[candidrachel]

I'd like to take photos of cemetaries too. I'd like to get a really misty atmospheric shot. What if a ghost appears? I know thats really childish to say that but it would be cool! (only if you believe in that kind of thing).

Pax, I know what you mean about the serenity and peacefulness of cemetaries. My dad died when I was 6 and every now and then when I go to my parents I visit his grave and stick some flowers on (or get rid of the dead ones from before) and its lovely sometimes I go and visit the childrens/babies graves. I don't know why but I feel that as a mother is kind of a maternal feeling.

[Preacherman]

Took a few myself in UK this year. Got a few peculiar looks from people around, but the occupants didn't mind! Go for it. PAUL

[BEGM83]

ive also had no problems in churchyards or cemetaries (i live next to one and have had no problems going in and shooting!) really want to go have a snoop round Highgate Cemetary and get some shots but its only open at strict times and is very much a tourist trail event iyswim which sucks.