View Finders

Photographers learn to paint with light in historic Laurel Hill Cemetery

    By
  • Jonathan Wilson
    • June 24, 2016
  • A photographer's shadow is cast against the wall of a mausoleum from the illumination of street lights.

    A photographer's shadow is cast against the wall of a mausoleum from the illumination of street lights. (Jonathan Wilson for WHYY)

  • Visitors enter Laurel Hill Cemetery through the Gatehouse on Ridge Avenue. The 78-acre cemetery was founded in 1836 and contains the remains of many of Philadelphia's wealthiest and most prominent citizens.

    Visitors enter Laurel Hill Cemetery through the Gatehouse on Ridge Avenue. The 78-acre cemetery was founded in 1836 and contains the remains of many of Philadelphia's wealthiest and most prominent citizens. (Jonathan Wilson for WHYY)

  • Laurel Hill Grounds Foreman Frank Rausch (second from left) leads more than a dozen photo enthusiasts through the cemetery at the start of the Lunar Stroll.

    Laurel Hill Grounds Foreman Frank Rausch (second from left) leads more than a dozen photo enthusiasts through the cemetery at the start of the Lunar Stroll. (Jonathan Wilson for WHYY)

  • Michael Litchman trains his lens on one of the cemetery's monuments at sunset.

    Michael Litchman trains his lens on one of the cemetery's monuments at sunset. (Jonathan Wilson for WHYY)

  • A statue of W. E. Hughes sits atop his burial plot facing the Schuylkill River at sunset.

    A statue of W. E. Hughes sits atop his burial plot facing the Schuylkill River at sunset. (Jonathan Wilson for WHYY)

  • Photographed with painted light is the ornate monument of William James Mullen, a noted 19th century philanthropist and prison reformer.

    Photographed with painted light is the ornate monument of William James Mullen, a noted 19th century philanthropist and prison reformer. (Jonathan Wilson for WHYY)

  • After dark, a photographer composes her subject.

    After dark, a photographer composes her subject. (Jonathan Wilson for WHYY)

  • One of the cemetery's most noted sites is the Warner Monument, here illuminated with painted light. The monument was the work of Philadelphia sculptor Alexander Milne Calder, who also created the statue of William Penn that stands atop Philadelphia City Hall.

    One of the cemetery's most noted sites is the Warner Monument, here illuminated with painted light. The monument was the work of Philadelphia sculptor Alexander Milne Calder, who also created the statue of William Penn that stands atop Philadelphia City Hall. (Jonathan Wilson for WHYY)

  • Illuminated by painted light are the monuments of the Civil War General Francis E. Patterson (left) and the Clothier Family, right.

    Illuminated by painted light are the monuments of the Civil War General Francis E. Patterson (left) and the Clothier Family, right. (Frank Rausch for WHYY)

Ornate gravestones cast long shadows as 14 photo enthusiasts set out on foot from the gatehouse at Laurel Hill Cemetery on a Friday evening in early June.

Toting tripods, cameras and flashlights, the photographers were there for a guided tour and lessons in painting with light.

Painting with light is a night photography technique in which the photographer shines a flashlight on selected areas of a monument while the shutter of the camera is open for an extended period of time. The results can be stunning.

This was the first of three Lunar Strolls offered at the historic cemetery this summer. Additional dates are July 8 and Aug. 10 at 8:00 p.m.  A tripod and some photo experience are recommended. Reservations are required.

  • WHYY thanks our sponsors — become a WHYY sponsor

Laurel Hill Cemetery, a National Historic Landmark, was designed by Scottish-American architect John Notman and completed in 1839. The cemetery, which was then in a rural location, was conceived as an alternative to increasingly crowded churchyards in Philadelphia.

In its nearly two centuries, the cemetery has become the resting place for scores of noted Philadelphians. More recently, Phillies Broadcaster Harry Kalas was buried there in 2009, and the film character Adrian Balboa has a headstone there, left behind after a Rocky shoot.

WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.

Brought to you by View Finders

You may also like

About Jonathan Wilson

Read more

Want a digest of WHYY’s programs, events & stories? Sign up for our weekly newsletter.

Together we can reach 100% of WHYY’s fiscal year goal

Donate
Learn about WHYY Member benefits
Ways to Donate