Photography Ettiquet and Tumblr Apologies
Apologies first: sorry I have been pretty busy so I haven’t had time to go through the pages of wonderful pictures and posts all you tumblr-ites have posted. I assure I love and like everything and would probably reblog most of it.
Post for the day: Cemetery Photography Ettiquet
I love to take pictures in the cemetery, and it’s becoming clear that many others do too. So, I’ve taken it upon myself to compile a list of do’s and don’ts when taking photos in the cemetery. Pass this on to anyone you know who takes pics in the cemetery, and feel free to add more.
1. Respect privacy, of both the living and the dead. Don’t take pictures of funerals or people in the cemetery without their permission. Unless necessary, try to avoid capturing full names on headstones if you’re going to be posting the pictures publicly. If you do, edit them out.
2. Respect cemetery property. In short, don’t fucking damage anything or litter.
3. Don’t climb on the head stones. If you absolutely must, make sure it is a solid, steady headstone that won’t topple over with your weight.
4. Pick up litter.
5. Do not interupt funerals or hang out around them. It’s rude and thoughtless for those grieving.
6. If you see people causing damage or doing illegal things in the cemetery, call the police. In my area, teenagers often do drugs and kick over tombstones for fun. Let the cops handle the little fuckers.
7. Don’t rearrange flowers or knickknacks on headstones; their families have them set up how they want them. If something’s blown over to toppled over, then you can stand it up, but try to leave things as they are.
8. If passersby ask what you are doing or comment on your activities, be polite and be honest. They make think you are up to something you shouldn’t be if you act sneaky about things.
9. If a cemetery worker or other authority asks you to leave, please listen to them. Be polite, explain yourself, but if they still ask you to leave, do so. You can always come back. If it is closing time, leave.
10. A word about sneaking in after hours: it is technically breaking the law if you break into the cemetery after hours. Most people are going to think you’re up to something illicit if they catch you in the graveyard after dark, so be casual about it. Don’t try to hide. Again, acting suspicious will only make things worse for yourself.
Those are my thoughts. :P
