Photographing Graveyards?

Dean Wil

Dean Wil

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Dean
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Just a thought that popped into my head yesterday as i was travelling home on a coach from my girlfriends.

I passed a graveyard, it was very well kept, there were a few nice plants and trees, very green, it looked lovley. I thought to myself that it would be a nice place to take a few snapshots.

I was wondering about the opinions of other togs. It is a graveyard afterall and i thought maybe some people would see photographing one as a bit disrespectful.

Your opinions please my friends.
 
go for it - they're great plaxces to photograph and very atmosphereic.

I would (my opinion) just act with the same level of respecrt as if you were walking through
 
Find a goth model, they will love it.
 
Go for it, if you hunt around TP you will find a fair few grave yard and grave stone images.

Been photographing around grave yards for ages, like Hugh says just be respectful of the residents in there.
 
Goths and graveyards, and especially goths in graveyards are very cliché, so try to find a way to put your own unique twist on it. :)

Good fun to do though.
 
I've shot magazine shoots at graveyards before...good fun and great to play with lighting in. Especially on an overcast day like today.
 
Graveyards are some of my favourite places to shoot. Mostly because I love close to Arnos Vale cemetery - a huge overgrown victorian cemetery and a beautiful place too. I've had great successes shooting both people and landscapes there:







 
Weetobix said:
Graveyards are some of my favourite places to shoot. Mostly because I love close to Arnos Vale cemetery - a huge overgrown victorian cemetery and a beautiful place too. I've had great successes shooting both people and landscapes there
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Arnos Vale were a bit picky with me about pricing for commercial shoots so not done anything there other than stuff for personal. I cheated and used Avon View cemetary in St. George for a load of "angel" shots.

Have you tried the small cemetary in Clifton (up near the Chesterfield Hospital and UoB Student Union)?! There is a way of getting that opened up and it makes for some amazing locations, especially night time...with the path through the middle.
 
I asked the very same question a while ago as we've a fantastic big graveyard in Perth with some lovely old grave stones.

I think the general rule is just be tactfull and stay away from any 'current' goings on.
 
Love that 1st B&W James, very nice :)

I have often thought the same as the OP and simply walking about in a graveyard feels wrong to me, never mind getting a camera out.

There's a couple around me here in Aberdeen that would make good shots, but it's the whole respect thing that overcomes me. I might have to take a trip out this week if the clear skies remain, although that's looking doubtful as I look out the window :(
 
ka$h said:
Love that 1st B&W James, very nice :)

I have often thought the same as the OP and simply walking about in a graveyard feels wrong to me, never mind getting a camera out.

There's a couple around me here in Aberdeen that would make good shots, but it's the whole respect thing that overcomes me. I might have to take a trip out this week if the clear skies remain, although that's looking doubtful as I look out the window :(
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No no....give it a try in dreich weather, a little cliched but still just as good...especially if you can play with filters etc and get some nice moody skies.
 
jamesb84 said:
Arnos Vale were a bit picky with me about pricing for commercial shoots so not done anything there other than stuff for personal. I cheated and used Avon View cemetary in St. George for a load of "angel" shots.

Have you tried the small cemetary in Clifton (up near the Chesterfield Hospital and UoB Student Union)?! There is a way of getting that opened up and it makes for some amazing locations, especially night time...with the path through the middle.
Click to expand...

I've not tried either of those yet - I'll have to have a looksee. Cheers!

Greenbank cemetery near Eastville Park is also nice

Apoligies to all those not living in Bristol for this minor tangent :)
 
Check out the area where they store grass clippings etc from cleaning up, you can often find frogs, slow worms and grass snakes in such places.

All round its ok IMHO to photograph there, just be tactful/respectful and try to avoid the goth hugging a gravestone cliche
 
Like others have said go for it. Its a good setting to use. Creepy at night though :D

3913038411_3d3ef3ca1e.jpg
 
Great places to shoot, especially at sunset or at night (if you're feeling brave!) I've never had any trouble from anyone, just be respectful and you'll be OK.
 
Dean Wil said:
Nice image, how did you get the horns and halo in there? Im guessing it involves low shutter speed.
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Camera on a tripod set to bulb, open the shutter and draw with torches. I used quality street wrappers on the torches to get different colours. I then shone each torch on the top of the stone edge to give the impression the the halo and horns were glowing. I also used my mobile phone to light the grave stone face a little.
 
Excellent thread, I have a heads up the local civic society comp this year may be the local graveyard. It is undergoing major renovation through a "friends of" type group and the competition will give it good publicity and exposure.
Keep the ideas coming.
It's a small parochial comp, but good for me as a novice as I don't feel completely outgunned.

Paul

p.s. I don't really live in Darwen :naughty:
 
I used a graveyard near me for one of my A-level photgraphy projects. I came away with some really nice shots.

Just be as repectful as you would normally and you should be fine. I would not take pictures of really new graves, obviously not walk on anything other than the paths. Oh and maybe be a bit careful to check who might be around at the graveyard. The ones in Nottingham attract a quite a few dodgy folks. I wouldn't go there alone with lots of gear. Common sense really.
 
Early in the morning just as the sun is rising works very well. A bit of morning mist really sets the scene.
 
Nip down to the graveyard at the top of the 199 steps in Whitby, some of the headstones are so weathered they give fantastic back drops, time it for Goth Week later this year and you'll have your pick of Gothic models.

As it's on top of the cliff it's not too scary, just mind the edges!!
 
Timley post as I've been considering doing this.

I look forward to seeing your photographs.

I'd concur with others regarding respect.

Cheers.
 
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