|
| Bill Bloom (#47321231)
 | member for 2 years, 10 months, 5 days |
| | | [Add to MyFriends] |
| Bio and Links |
I am continuing the family tree research that my father started a few years before his passing. He did a great job of researching and gathering quite a bit of information, and I regret not paying more attention to his work. I track the tree using Legacy and our Find A Grave memorials. As a photography buff, being a photo volunteer is a fun and educational branch of the hobby. I'm located in Morton, Delaware County, PA.
I'm not in this for the numbers but to help people find their ancestors and family. Having quality photos of the stones and markers for your family to view now and for future generations is important, so I take this seriously. What is the point of taking a photo of a stone or plaque if you cannot easily read the inscription? There is nothing more frustrating than having a photo posted with the inscription obscured by overgrowth, leaves, mud, ice or snow, or if the photo is too small to be readable! Also there are professional organizations, like the Daughters of the American Revolution, that rely on these photos for verification of claims, and they cannot use photos with unreadable inscriptions. Taking the time to do them right shows that we respect the families and the people they have memorialized. I am preaching (ranting?) here in the hope that other volunteer photographers may do the same.
Tips for good photos:
1. Take the time to clean up whatever is blocking the inscription (but do no physical changes or cleaning that may damage the markers in any way). I keep a pair of grass trimmers, small whisk broom, garden knife, spray bottle of water and a roll of paper towels with me. Water can bring out some inscriptions, and combined with paper towels is pretty good for removing bird poop. A bottle of hand sanitizer is advised.
2. Shoot with a high resolution and reduce it to just below the 3MB limit for posting it so that viewers will have a large enough inscription to read.
3. Get in close and as level as possible with the stones and markers (kneeling is allowed :-)) so you can easily read the inscriptions. Don't make them look like they were taken from satellite (we have Google Earth for that).
4. If the stone is in shadow, try using 'forced flash', also called fill flash, on your camera.
5. Shoot the full plaque or stone - these are often ornate and beautiful. Take a close up of the inscriptions if you feel the full shot won't be adequately readable. Browse my photos - I try to practice what I preach.
Please let us know if you are not happy with any of the photos we provide. Ask us to retake a photo if you'd like a different angle, less shade, grass/weeds/snow/ice removed that may be obstructing the inscription, and so on. These are for YOU, not us.
I'm now taking GPS readings and posting them on the memorials (in the Plot GPS fields). Just by clicking the GPS link, you're able to zoom in from satellite and see the actual cemetery and plot. If you have a portable GPS and no map of the cemetery, use the coordinates to take you right to the grave when visiting. Try it out! | |
|
|
| Find A Grave Friends
Alan Stamford, Anonymous, bobo, Brenda & Pete, Cheryell Averil..., Chris West, Dave Pollock, Debbie, Deborah, Gore, Joan Pacitti, Johnny, Joz, Kay Lansing, Ken, ken kennedy, L. M. Arrigale, Leon Lane Sr ..., Lynn S. Grubb, Mark Maxwell, [View all Find A Grave Friends...] |
|
| | Messages left for Bill Bloom (290) | [Leave Message] |
Diane Fields Funk
 | Sarah Ellen Fields
Sarah #108374870 is the daughter of John #107343793 & Sarah Blair Fields 108374775 .She was born 11-27-1865 | | | RJM_2012
 | Dean Young (Media, PA)
question on Dean Young, buried in Media Cemetery, PA..
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=YOUN&GSfn=D&GSpartial=1&GSbyrel=all&GSst=40&GScntry=4&GSsr=161&GRid=53440819&
I see where possibly his parents photos are attached to this memorial -- do you have a photo for Dean's grave?
Thanks.Added by RJM_2012 on May 19, 2013 11:38 AM | | | Babe
 | Joyce Layton
Thank you for the information .Added by Babe on May 15, 2013 7:11 PM | | | Betsy Koen Morris
 | Harry Watkins
Bill, your time and effort in locating the burial site for my ancestor is very much appreciated!
Betsy Morris | | | James Harrison Turner
| Stanert @Chester Rural
Hello Bill,
Thanks for the updates on the above. Nice to deal with a genealogist and not a "bean counter" or "borderline personality" for a change! I sometimes despair of keeping my profile accessible these days.........
Jim Turner | | | Izzy76
 | Heidi Wolske
Again, I know I thanked you privately but I wanted to thank you publicly for again taking beautiful photos of the grave you volunteered to do (this time it was Heidi). Thanks so much for all your hard work and talent!Added by Izzy76 on May 12, 2013 11:41 AM | | | kimberlyb
 | Schrefflers Lawncroft
Sorry about Robert Sr and Charolette, I don't know why the pictures were not available before and are now opening. I have two open for Robert Jr and Arthur If you're interested. They should be right near Charolette and Robert Sr. I saw that you Claimed Joan I am hoping she is with them as well. I just am not sure how many plots my grandfather purchased in the same spot.
Thanks So much | | | Michael Milliken
 | Lawn Croft Cemetery
Bill,
Thanks so much for the photo of Joseph E Robinson's grave marker. Your work with FindaGrave is very much appreciated. The photo of his grave marker, as well as the Vietnam veteran marker make his memorial page a very respectable memorial to his service. Thanks again for your help. | | | Remember Them Always
 | RE: Ulvestad
Thanks a lot! I appreciate it! =) | | | Remember Them Always
| Ulvestad
I noticed on Lawrence's memorial, you have his wife Eloise's headstone photo posted. If you wouldn't mind, would you please transfer her photo over to her memorial? That way I don't need to put in a photo request. Please and thank you! =)
Lawrence Ulvestad
Find A Grave Memorial# 4102445
Eloise Ulvestad
Find A Grave Memorial# 4102441
| | | | [View all messages...] |
|
|
| | |
Accuracy and Copyright Disclaimer
|
