Two new photos I took, kinda gross

[Karen]

It is very sad that the gravestones are removed if you don't fork over more money for upkeep. It is not that way here in the U.S., there is a cemetery through the wood behind our neighborhood, and there are gravestones in there that have been there since its founding in 1885.

I know we are a much younger country, but 30 years seems like nothing in the span of time.

[Suki Wingy]

On German cemeteries, graves are usually removed after 30 years, unless there are still relatives who rebuy the place. The contracts for urne graves even expire after 20 years.

THAT is what's sad That's HISTORY there!
I love wandering through old cemeteries looking for really old ones and seeing in a way they whay different people deal with death.

[lizbud]

I think this is very sad., almost goulish ,to desecrate the ground & remove
the headstones. I'm very glad they don't do that here. I knew there was a
good reason to chose cremation for myself.

[sirrahbed]

It is sad to me in the sense that history is being destroyed. But, if there are no longer living relatives - and space is so very limited - it makes sense. 20 to 30 years sure doesn't seem like very long though.

Kirsten I love your beautiful pictures! I used to visit cemeteries and once had a hobby of making etchings of the more interesting tombstones. I would use blank newsprint and wax to make copies. One actually read something like "gone and rood riddance" - I had to wonder about THAT bit of history!!

[Alysser]

Those are wonderful photos but it's also very saddening. When, I went to Italy, the Villa we stayed in had a cemetery as you drove up the driveway. WHICH was very very very long. Some of the stones dated back to the 1600's!

[Kirsten]

Thank you!

Yes, the more I think about it, I think it's sad that they get removed. Like I said, the really old ones still exist, but in a couple of centuries, our graves of today will be history for the future people, and that history will be lost forever.

Debbie, OMG! Makes you wonder what kind of guy was buried there!

Some of the stones dated back to the 1600's!

Italy is a country with such an amazing history, really old and impressive. I would like to go there some day and take pictures of all the ancient places.

Kirsten

[ramanth]

I love your photos Kirsten! I have several prints of my friend's photos of gravestones and graveyards.

I love them.

[Sonia59]

Nice pics! And thanks for the link to your website, I did not know about this one

What kind of digital camera do you have? Are you satisfied about black and white pictures you take with them? Your older pictures (not taken with a digital cam, right?) are, to my opinion, much better. I always find that B&W digital pics are a bit "flat". Just a personal opinion, but I am curious to know if you share it

[Kirsten]

Sonia, I think it's an interesting point that you've made! It's true that when you want to give your b/w pictures an old, historical look, digital photos are often too clear, too cold and they lack of atmosphere. Don't know how to express it any better.

Thanks for signing the guestbook btw!

Forgot to say: I use a Canon PowerShot A200 for more than three years. I'm satisfied with the close-ups, but not with landscape shots. I plan to get a another one by the end of the year.

Kirsten