Digital BW, The Print

Cemetaries are long-standard kitsch that photographers, myself
included, have enjoyed from the beginning of our craft. But they are
not always generic public spaces to their protectors. 

Various American groups still retain non-Walmart cultures. Mative
Hispanics in New Mexico and the Four Corners, Navajo to my certain
knowledge, presumably other Native Americans, some conservative Jews,
and 'jes folks in remote settings, view cemetaries as sacred or very
private spaces. 

They understand themselves to be ripped off culturally or as a
community, which means very personally, when outsiders invade with
cameras. 

For related reasons, several pueblos in New Mexico do not allow any
photography, sketching, or other recording at all (eg three Indian and
two ancient Hispanic pueblos adjoining Albuquerque), and the Taos
Pueblo restricts wandering/photography to tourist-overrun display
areas, charging a fee-per-camera in exchange for the bits that we
erode from them when we leave with images. 

Perhaps this thinking actually adds value to the images that we do
make in cemetaries. I'm thinking of two that I want to photograph as I
write this, one of them "artistic," the other ugly but laden with
social implications.

John Kelly
Albuquerque
  



--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, "Ken Carney"
<kcarney1@c...> wrote:
>
> Hi Megan,
> 
> I have a portfolio of cemeteries.  I agree with you that they are
intriguing
> b&w subjects.  All of mine are b&w, and most are infrared.  I have a
few on
> my website.  I have never had a problem, including photographing with a
> large-format camera, tripod, dark cloth and all that.  If I'm not
sure, I
> ask, and usually the only request I get (very rarely) is not to have the
> deceased's name visible if it is for publication.  There is an
exception in
> large cities with numerous cemeteries, but it does not involve privacy,
> rather the issue that you might walk in and not walk out (e.g., New
> Orleans).  Hope this helps.
> 
> Ken
> www.kencarney.com
> 
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com 
> > [mailto:DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com] On 
> > Behalf Of Megan Milligan
> > Sent: Tuesday, December 06, 2005 3:39 PM
> > To: digitalblackandwhitetheprint@yahoogroups.com; 
> > canon350d@yahoogroups.com; 
> > digital_photography_forum@yahoogroups.com; 
> > the_feminine_perspective@yahoogroups.com
> > Subject: [Digital BW] Photography Etiquette - (namely cemeteries)
> > 
> > I don't know if this particular question has been posted 
> > before, but I'm wondering if there's something of a tactful 
> > way to photograph cemeteries.  I think they're some of the 
> > most beautiful things to look at (older, more ornate 
> > headstones), and I'm currently working on getting enough 
> > photographs for a section on my website.  
> >    
> >   But, I've been the recipient of a few stares in the past.  
> > So, what's the most respectful and discreet way you would 
> > approach this?  Use a point & shoot versus a fullsize camera 
> > like a DSLR?  Keep it hidden in a piece of clothing until you 
> > don't see anyone looking at you and then take the picture?  
> > Maybe take pictures at night or early  morning when fewer 
> > people might be around?  Talk to the groundskeeper about 
> > maybe setting up an appointment to be accompanied by them to 
> > do some photography?  Any advise is greatly appreciated.
> >    
> >   Megan
>