Photography Tips
Anyone can photograph war graves and memorials, it is just a case of following a few guidelines. We are looking for full length, high resolution images, with great composition. It couldn't be simpler!!!
Photography Process
The process of taking war grave or memorial photos is VERY IMPORTANT. Whether you are shooting with digital or regular conventional film, the processes are essentially the same. Following these basic steps will allow for great photos to be produced. Once you know where you have to go, knowing what you have to do when you get there is essential.
Step 1
For Digital - shoot at medium resolution. A minimum of 1200 x 800 is OK, but preferably 1600 x 1200. This allows us the scope for manipulation.
For Film - Use 100 - 400 ASA speed film, full colour
Step 2
Take a photo of the cemetery in which the graves to be photographed are located. If possible, include a sign with the name of the cemetery in the first picture of those from that cemetery. This allows for reference at a later date. If there are any green CWGC (Commonwealth War Graves Commission) signs, take a full frame shot of this.
Step 3
Find the graves you are after. Set the camera to full, wide angle. Don't zoom unless you have a high Mega-pixel camera. This will only pixelate the image.
Step 4
Take the first grave photo as per the above instructions. Fill the frame by stepping towards or away from the gravestone until the image is ideal. Get down to the level of the grave and shoot straight on. Check that the image is suitable (test shot), before taking many photos.
Step 5
If any part of the inscription is faded or at all difficult to read, take an extreme close up of the suspect area. Engraved letters and numbers exposed to weathering can be difficult to read.
Step 6
If there is an epitaph (personal inscription) at the bottom of the grave and it cannot be seen in the main photo, take a separate image of this. Taking the epitaph image after the main image allows us to determine that it belongs to the previous grave photo. There may be foliage or plants obscuring the epitaph; if this is the case, gently push the plants to the side and take the iamge. Try not to damage anything and replace the plants into the original position when finished.
Step 7
For Civil or Communal cemeteries (ie. not war cemeteries), take a separate wide angle image of the individual grave plot. This may be a family plot or a grouping. This adds interest to the photos. This doesn't need to be done for war cemeteries or plots!!!
Note: For the Civil or Communal cemeteries, it is advisable to tick or mark the casualties that have been completed as you complete them. This removes the risk of neglecting certain graves and duplication. There is nothing more annoying than to leave a cemetery, only to reveal that you have omitted one grave photo!!!
Note 2: For the Civil or Communal cemeteries - many of the graves in these cemeteries are faded and worn, or are built of a stone that is difficult to read. In particular moss covered stones and speckled granite. These may require closer images to capture the inscription.
Step 8
Once you have finished the photography, store the photos in a JPEG format on CD and post and/or e-mail them to us at: australianwargraves@bigpond.com
If you have taken photos from multiple cemeteries, divide them into folders for ease of recognition.
Note:: Do not manipulate the photos in any way. We have a pre-formatted system to batch process the images to a set standard. Please send them in raw form.
Please be sure to label each disc with the contents. Include the name of the cemetery, the location and your name. Please create an index of names contained on each disc.
Photo Tips
1. Try to shoot with the sun behind you or to the side.
2. Shoot head-on or at a slight angle. If the inscription is fading, it is best to shoot with the sun on the face of the stone at an angle.
3. Taking the photographs on a cloudy or overcast day is better than bright sunshine, as long as the light levels are suitable.
4. Spraying water on the inscription may help to define it and make it easier to read. Use water only if the inscription is very difficult to read.
Photo NO-NO's
There are a number of image variations that we can and cannot use. See below for the kinds of images.
In the above photo, the shot is too far from the grave for the inscription to be seen.