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| Jackie Saulmon Ramirez (#46823626)
 | member for 7 years, 3 months, 18 days |
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HOW TO GET GREAT PHOTOS
FOR FIND-A-GRAVE
Take Pride in Your Work!
-Plan time of day for photo. In direct sun you may not be able to read a stone. Watch for glare.
-Take extra dry cells.
-Reduce resolution setting on your camera, but not too low.
-Try to match the resolution to the highest number compatible with FindAGrave's limits. The higher the resolution, the better the photo will be. Too small and it will 'pixelate' the photo.
--->750 KB maximum file size
--->300-1200 pixel width
-Wear a wide brim hat. That will 'shade' your digital camera so you can better view the L.C.D. screen.
-Get down to eye level; stoop on one knee or sit on the ground. The difference is astounding!
-Get close enough to read the headstone.
-Take 2nd shot to show the stone's area.
-Move plants to get all the words & dates. Replace when finished.
-Get the DATES; family and researchers NEED dates!
-Trim or brush GRASS off the stone so the letters show. [Do not trim in-the-ground plants!]
-Center the headstone.
-Get a photo of the ENTIRE stone or monument no matter how tall, no matter how wide.
-Take close-up of the inscription.
-Use a tripod for a clear photo.
-Use a reflector to improve headstone readability. Light helps when held to one side to create shadows in the lettering.
-No 'reflector?' Use a mirror, tin foil, bright light, etc.
-FEEL the letters for hard to read headstones.
-Write down notes for hard-to-read headstones.
-Use a tape recorder to make ‘notes' till you can enter it on FindAGrave.
-A flags' folds can be moved so they don't cover the writing.
-Avoid taking shots with snow on the ground; too much light and glare.
-Every headstone has the same value no matter what they paid for it.
-Think of a family member viewing the memorial you are creating.
-Be aware of clothing, hair, fingers, etc. in lens shot.
-Keep friends that came with you out of the shot.
-Don't get your shadow in the photo. It's very distracting from the stone.
-Don't get your reflection on a shiny stone.
-Don't take photo from an angle unless it helps readability.
-Don't go at night unless requested and take 2nd photo during day.
-Don't go for numbers; go for quality.
-Don't get your vehicle in the photo.
-If you accidentally get your vehicle or foot in the photo, crop or remove with 'clone' tool OR retake the photo.
-Never try to 'clean' the stone. Use only a cloth or soft brush.
-Do not touch lichens! They are fungal organisms that may damage stones but to try and remove them could do MORE harm.
-Any photo is better than no photo at all; it proves the grave is there.
-If you bring a dog or other pet, make sure cemeteries allow them on the grounds. Be sure you pick up any litter (poops, BMs). "Doggie bags" are part of my graving equipment.
PHOTO EDITING
-Do ANY editing, including cropping, to the photo BEFORE you reduce the final size. Any editing increases the file size of the photo.
-Edit as little as possible but DO enhance if it will make the stone clearer or easier to read. 'Remove scratches' or 'Sharpen' may aid the ability to read older or worn stones.
-Crop but DO show some space around the stone; it enhances the viewers' experience. A 2nd photo may show a close up of the individual stone or inscription.
ON THE MEMORIAL
-Don't write as if you were sending an e-mail. Use capitalization, commas, quotations, periods, etc.
-Credit sources for information or BIOs.
-BIO note body should not be all caps.
-Don't say "buried with" unless they are in the same casket. Say "buried beside" or "buried among."
-When the last name has 2 parts, leave a space between the 1st part and the 2nd part. "Van Hise," not "VanHise." If the stone shows no space—then do not leave a space. Follow the stone.
-Unless your stone is that of Harry S Truman, the initial needs a period "." after it.
-Try to add the inscription; put periods or dashes where the lettering is worn away.
-To read a difficult stone, it may help to increase contrast in your photo editing program while transcribing. Return photo to 'natural' before uploading to FindAGrave.
-People before papers! Photos of faces & family, then the stone, then any documents that would include death certificates, obituary notices or articles.
-Ask yourself, "If this was my family member, would I like this memorial?"
-Take one final look over the memorial for spelling or other errors.
If you have tips or suggestions, please feel free to e-mail me.
******************************
My daughter Francisca has loved cemeteries since she was about three and barely tall enough to look outside the car as we passed. Cemetery stones drew her like a magnet! She is now almost 30 and we still love these 'cities of stone.'
As for me, FindAGrave is an outlet for my love of art, genealogy, history and photography all rolled into one. I have been known to 'sponsor' a memorial or two for its beauty, historic or cultural significance. Sponsoring a loved one's memorial is also a sincere gift to family or a friend and also helps support FindAGrave in a meaningful way.
You may also find this article or reach me through this website by copy & pasting the URL into a browser:
http://jackiesaulmonramirez.com/2012/09/14/how-to-get-great-photos-for-find-a-grave-2/
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| | Messages left for Jackie Saulmon ... (37) | [Leave Message] |
Linda Y
 | Joshua saulmon
The memorials are in with the request for joshua saulmon. We never located his stone many are not able to read lindaAdded by Linda Y on Nov 26, 2012 8:37 AM | | | Linda Y
| oscar and Lillie Saulom
we have been to the cemetery where your family may be buried and added the memorials I suggest that you ask for the memorials they are many new ones we added LindaYAdded by Linda Y on Nov 24, 2012 8:42 PM | | | Carla Swanger Fehr
 | Toes!
Oh my goodness, I didn't even pay attention, but yep, there are my distracting Flintstone feet. :-P I *just* downloaded Aperture and have no clue how to use it yet but I will play around and see if I can crop that down evenly!
I just looked at the memorial to John Salter, and yes, his headstone is gorgeous! I adore the dark slate headstones! There is a gentleman in SC named David Gillespie who does modern slate headstones and holy cow, they look amazing. If you ever get a chance, check out his work!
Nope, I'm not from NC -- I'm from Tuscaloosa, Alabama. I lived at Camp Lejeune when I was affiliated with the military (and also in SC, MS, MA, VA, TX, AZ, GA and now finally MO! It gets exhausting just thinking about it). The drive to Cedar Island has to be one of my most favorite stretches of highway in the U.S., though! That little restaurant in the motel has some killer oysters too -- yum!
I'd be happy to transfer Mr. Geffroy over to you; I'll get that done now as a matter of fact. Thank you so much for your WONDERFUL contributions to Find-A-Grave! | | | Carla Swanger Fehr
| William Geffroy
Hi Jackie! I haven't been online in a while and I just saw the beautiful photos and your sponsorship of William Geffroy. I wanted to say thank you for those kind gestures! When I lived in Jacksonville, I took a day trip up to Beaufort and just sort of randomly snapped a bunch of photos at the Burying Ground. When I go through my pics, I try to cross reference to see if there is anyone I've photographed who isn't on Find a Grave and I'll make them a memorial using what I have just to make sure that person is remembered. I don't know any details about the life of Mr. Geffroy, but if you do or if you'd like to create a more fitting and proper memorial for him, I'd be happy to transfer him to you. Just want to make sure all of our soldiers get the respect that they deserve! Thanks again, Jackie, and best wishes to you.
P.S. I LOVE that area of NC -- I'd give anything to move back! :-) | | | Richard Jordan
 | RE: Alfred Agustus Benfield
That is a super job. I wish everyone could have such complete and detailed bio as you have provided.
Doc | | | BRADLEY INGELS
 | RE: David Childres Memorial
You are quite welcome ... and ... THANKS for buying AMERICAN!
God Bless!
Bradley | | | Janet Elliott Douglas
 | J Saulman
You are welcome. Sorry, I couldn't find it. | | | Amy Thompson
 | RE: Thank You Amy!!!
You are so welcome glad I was able to help | | | Sharon Slacum
 | RE: Otis Chester's Stone
Hello,
You are very welcome. You have made my day. This is why we volunteer for Find A Grave.
Sharon | | | Francisca Saulmon Ramirez
| Message From Jackie For: Jackie Wilson Goddard
Hello Again!
It's beautiful here today! :^)
I'm really sorry you don't like my tips. I'm an editor at heart, so when I see an initial or missing punctuation, it begs to be added. It just looks better to me.
I know you said in the old days at FindAGrave it was 'policy' to skip the period, but that has changed. I understand what you are saying and I know change is difficult for some but I prefer a period. If FindAGrave changes the policy I'll be happy to conform, but for right now, I'm very comfortable with the way it is at present.
As you said, these 'tips' are indeed my tips, not FindAGrave's. These are not directives, merely suggestions as to how to create an attractive, pleasant and accurate memorial. This is why they are titled "How To Get Great Photos For Find-A-Grave," rather than "You Must..." so please look up the definition of directive.
You also quote on your site, "Let's work together to make meaningful memorials." I certainly agree! That would include not bolding words, which connotes shouting, and indeed invokes the directive in this context, and using "Perhaps" to belie what is clearly a directive (as well as a judgement) of your own.
I focus on the online memorial experience from the perspective of genealogists, and family and friends of the deceased person.
Again, I am terribly sorry you are unhappy with my 'tips.'If you are so upset with my BIO page, then please try to avoid it.
Respectfully,
Jackie
PS: I have already sent you a message but will not use your 'cloak-and-dagger' method of sending messages to your "Forever Unknown" memorial. Using a memorial that ostensibly belongs to a deceased person for the purpose of receiving messages you don't wish others to see cannot possibly be part of what FindAGrave was created for. Any and all future responses will be posted directly to my bio page.
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