Jay Osman wrote: > Charles and Listers, > Does anyone have any experience in using ultraviolet photographic film to enhance the engraving on tombstones? What are some of the other techniques used to bring out the engraving that will not damage the stones? I have tried shaving cream and a straight edge and it works, but it's a little messy. > Jay Osman::}~ The shaving creme and squeegee was highly recommended by an old Tulpehocken Historical Society, Berks County cemetery researcher, adding it was the best many of them collectively have tried. Photographing at high noon works best for me, on visible stones, sometimes bringing out the more obscure characters. Silvered windshield screens sometimes is used to reflect the sunlight just sufficient to highlight some stones, but it doesn't always work on all stones. I'd stick to the shaving creme, taking along a spray squeeze bottle of water to help clean up the mess you mentioned. And of course there is the digital camera, allowing you to see exactly what you got. You may have to take and delete a dozen shots at different settings/angles before you get the one you like; it also allows you to notice the finger over the lens! Regards, and keep trying. -- CHARLES EARL FIES -- Fies Family Fotos <http://home.att.net/~chasfies/> BABB - HARTMAN <http://home.att.net/~chasfies/Babbs.html> DAUPHIN CO. CEMETERIES <http://home.att.net/~chasfies/DauphinCo.html> ERNST-GRUBER <http://home.att.net/~chasfies/Ernsts.html> FIES/FEES Family History Research Site <http://www.fies-fees.org> Forgotten Cemeteries <http://home.att.net/~charliefies/Forgotten.html> Geyer's Cemetery <http://home.att.net/~charliefies/GeyerCem.html> FRASCELLA -- <http://home.att.net/~chasfies/Frascella.html> HARTMAN <http://home.att.net/~chasfies/Hartman.html> SCHLEGEL-PETERS <http://home.att.net/~chasfies/EarlPete.html> SNYDER-JONES <http://home.att.net/~chasfies/ermafies.html> WIELAND-YOUNG-STONER<http://home.att.net/~chasfies/Wealands.html> ZIMMERMAN lacks source data