This is a good article about digital tombstone photography with several good tips: http://www.genealogyandhow.com/lib/cemeteries/digital-photography.htm Here is another one: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~historic/photographing_tombstones.h tm I have to say a little brush is a very good idea - just a soft plastic one, nothing harsh enough to damage a stone. I have also gotten a lot of use out of my pocket knife! Not the correct tool at all, but helpful for cutting grass away from sinking flat stones. A mirror really does help you read some stones. Pam