Tag Archives: Cemetery

Cemetery, Charleston, Historical, Landscape, OM System, ON1, What I Saw

Found On A Cemetery Walk

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First time out here in a while and one of the best spots to shake off  photography rust is the old cemeteries.

I recently was reading about the great photographer Jay Maisel who recently passed away. One thing he had said that struck me was ‘walk around and shoot anything that interests you.’

He went on the explain there was some reason it caught your attention.

These interested me;

Found On A Cemetery Walk
Found On A Cemetery Walk

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Found On A Cemetery Walk
Found On A Cemetery Walk
Found On A Cemetery Walk
Found On A Cemetery Walk
Found On A Cemetery Walk

Especially the small Anole lizard among the stones.

Specs; OM-1 (1), OM 12-100, Olympus 40-150 r, ON1 PR, Lightroom, DxO Filmpack.

Cemetery, Charleston, Historical, Landscape, OM System

Gibbs Angels

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Angels are among the Spanish Moss and Live Oaks in the oldest section of the Magnolia Cemetery outside Charleston.

An old family mausoleum, built of marble and covered by a hill side of trees is guarded by Angel statues. They were carved in the mid 1800’s and imported specifically for this mausoleum. Considering the US Civil War had just ended and half of Charleston was still ruins this was a little extravagant.

However, this is beautiful, and photogenic, spot. When the light is right I’ll grab a few more photos.

Gibbs Angels
Gibbs Angels

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Gibbs Angels
Gibbs Angels
Gibbs Angels
Gibbs Angels
Gibbs Angels

Specs; OM-1 (1), Olympus 40-150 r, Lightroom.

 

Black And White Photography, Cemetery, Charleston, Historical, Landscape, OM System, What I Saw

General James Simons (1813–1879)

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After the US Civil War the area in and around Charleston went from rich to poor. Since the war started here there was no love lost for the town.

And yet General James Simons (1813–1879) managed to have this huge crypt created for himself and family.

He was a politician, Confederate General, marries into the Wragg family, a cotton smuggler, and probably a few other occupations.

Below is his large mausoleum outside of Charleston.

General James Simons (1813–1879)
General James Simons (1813–1879)

Specs; OM-1 (1), Olympus 40-150 r, Lightroom, in-camera B&W.

Black And White Photography, Cemetery, Charleston, Historical, Landscape, Monochrome, OM System, What I Saw

Stones – Black And White

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No matter how many times you walk through the old cemeteries there’s always something to photograph.

Wandering September 2026.

Stones - Black And White
Stones – Black And White

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Stones – Black And White
Stones – Black And White
Stones – Black And White
Stones – Black And White

Specs; OM-1 (1), OM 40-150 r, OM 12-100, Lightroom, DxO Silver Efex,

Black And White Photography, Cemetery, Charleston, Historical, Landscape, Monochrome, OM System

Receiving Tomb 1850

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Once common, but now pretty rare; the Receiving Tomb.

These rock and tabby buildings were meant to be as cool as possible,  and hold several bodies while the burial site was prepared. We are in a tropical environment, so a cool place was critical.

However, a wealthy cotton merchant died and his rather ornate crypt was not ready. His body was in this building for 2 1/2 years. 😵‍💫

Receiving Tomb 1850
Receiving Tomb 1850
Receiving Tomb 1850
Receiving Tomb 1850

Specs; OM-1 (1), Olympus 40-150 r (?), Lightroom, DxO Silver Efex.

Black And White Photography, Cemetery, Charleston, Historical, Landscape, Monochrome, OM System

1853 – TTJ

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On the edge of one of the earliest burial plots in the area is this single stand alone stone. All through this location there are small stones with vague notations. I usually will take a quick shot and later on do some searching. A quick pass, this was just shot Monday, found nothing.

ADOX CMS 20
ADOX CMS 20

The photograph was finished with a DxO film filter for ADOX CMS 20, a special film, chemical, and paper process used in high quality landscape printing. It’s an interesting look the ‘Google’ told me all about so it must be true.

Cemetery, Charleston, Film Filter, Historical, Landscape, OM System, What I Saw

The Cogswell In A Dark Corner

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The stone for ESG – Cogswell lived through the US Civil War. The stones on either side are for children of the family. Each less than one year old.

When we visited the other day I really wasn’t paying much attention to any head stones details. I was looking more at colors, composition,  photo nerd stuff. Also I have not been out much, I’m still shooting with a brace on. Basically I took what was easiest.

No long lenses for this day. I wore an old fishing / photographers vest with multiple pockets and hidey holes, the pockets filled with stuff.

Anyway, I later found a good number of the subjects I photographed were children. Not a big surprise given the age of the cemetery and where it’s located. Still a bit morbid.

The Cogswell In A Dark Corner
The Cogswell In A Dark Corner

Specs; OM-1 (1), Olympus 40-150 r, Lightroom, DxO Filmpack.

Black And White Photography, Cemetery, Charleston, Film Filter, Historical, Landscape, OM System, What I Saw

Monochrome Stones

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Old cemeteries and monochrome photography just seem to go together.

The style of these images goes back to when I was shooting the old New England cemeteries, long archived from this web site. I did find a few shots like this taken in South Carolina while we were looking around considering a move here in 2016.

I remember having an online conversation with Keith Goldstein a respected NYC Street Photographer (For Earth Below) about how the look here reminded him of another photographer. At least it confirms I’m not completely crazy.

So I guess my love of old cemeteries goes back a ways and at least I’m consistent on how I visualize them 😊.

Monochrome Stones
Monochrome Stones

The images here were uploaded to the site about a month ago. Just this morning we walked around this area.

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Monochrome Stones
Monochrome Stones
Monochrome Stones
Monochrome Stones

Specs; OM-1 (1), Leica 100-400, Lightroom, custom B&W preset