Southern Graves

I was surprised at the number of ceramic photos (sometimes known as porcelain pictures ) I found while traipsing through Forsyth Cemetery and its subdivision called Rest Haven in Monroe County, Georgia. Young soldiers and children were prevalent. From the 1940s to the 2000s. Below are the nineteen I photographed. J. Ponder Carson (1868-1943) H. Walter Carson (1873-1943) *brother of J. Ponder Calvin Clifford Hudson (1946-1967) James T. Pritchett (1881-1941) Bessie W. Pritchett (1884-1967) *wife of James T. Joseph D. Pritchett (1917-1940) *son of James & Bessie John W. Martin (1943-1966) Samuel F. Anderson, Jr. (1929-1954) Joyce A. Belknap (1953-1970) James Floyd Mitchell (1901-1962) Ozella McCord Mitchell (1903-1990) *wife of James Floyd William Raymond Maddox, Sr. (1918-1984) Lucille Bates Maddox (1919-1996) *wife of William Raymond Gail Eugenia Maddox (1946-1959) *daughter of William & Lucille Sharron Crutchfield (...

I had to dig deep for this one! Hardest letter by far, for me. Xenophanes was a Greek philosopher, theologian, poet, and social and religious critic…He satirized traditional religious views of his time (c. 570 – c. 475 BC) as human projections. Xenophanes espoused a belief that "God is one, supreme among gods and men, and not like mortals in body or in mind." Some say this shows Xenophanes was one of the first monotheists in the Western philosophy of religion.  Detractors point to the addition of other gods in that statement.  [ Wikipedia ] Another quote that is attributed to him is one I'd like to point out.  I thought it fit well with a photo I took a little over four years ago at Trinity United Methodist Church Cemetery in Gwinnett County, Georgia: the whole sees, the whole perceives, the whole hears It is believed Xenophanes was referring to God.  Whether or not the G should be capitalized for his purpose is debatable.  For my purpose, there i...

Infrared is an effect many photo editing software programs offer that can be applied to digital images to simulate actual infrared film.  Here's a peek at how it can alter your cemetery photos. Before infrared: After "a little" infrared, fading back to original: Infrared effect in full: Which is different from black and white: Full disclosure:  I'm not a photographer.  You probably already knew that by the amateur photos.  Just thought I'd throw it out there so you would know to direct any technical questions to a real photographer. ;-) [If you're wondering what's up with all the "letter" posts:  I am attempting to follow the Blogging from A to Z Challenge (links to official page). This challenge lasts through the month of April, with Sundays off. Click here to see all my letter posts on one page (in reverse order). Oh, and wish me luck!]

Shadowlawn Cemetery at Lawrenceville, Gwinnett County, Georgia Photos © 2010/1 S. Lincecum

I recently visited Riverside Cemetery for the purpose of conducting a scavenger hunt . While there, something else kept getting my attention. It was the cemetery bench. I'm not necessarily writing about the stone benches that are more prevalent today. I'm choosing to focus on the weathered, worn, and rusted benches that look like they'll turn to dust if you touch them. There were several of these benches at Riverside, and two words kept coming to mind each time I would see one -- Empty and Waiting . Hollow and Lingering. These words might not seem to go together, I know. But they express my thoughts about the many souls that have used these seats. The living ones, and maybe even those of the ones passed on. The emptiness they were feeling. The yearning they had to see their loved one again, and possibly lingering in hopes of catching one last glimpse. I consider myself a "picture taker," but not really a photographer, if you know what I mean. Howev...

I'm always amazed at what a carver can do with rock. Such a hard substance can be made to look delicate and dainty. The stone memorializing S. V. DeVaughn at Felton Cemetery in Montezuma, Georgia is a fine example. She was the wife of James Elijah DeVaughn, born 11 July 1849 and died 13 November 1882. Included on her stone were the beautiful words Here Sweet Be Thy Rest, 'Till He Bid Thee Arise. From the curls in her hair to the rose in her fingertips... All photos &copy 2010 S. Lincecum.

John F. Lewis b. Feb 4, 1830 d. Dec 29, 1879 Felton Cemetery Montezuma, GA Lavinia Butts Lewis b. Feb 16, 1837 d. April 17, 1906 Felton Cemetery Montezuma, GA