If the camera is pointed upward or downward, the stone will be distorted in the picture. Many old stones do not stand straight on a vertical line. Position the camera close enough to the stone to fill the picture unless there are specific background details that should be included. By moving in very close to the stone, dramatic photographs can be made of carving details. How close a camera can be brought to a subject before it loses its ability to focus depends on the lens of the camera.
Background Give careful attention to the background.
The area behind the stone can enhance the photograph or damage it. A busy, confused background or a discordant object such as a TV antenna can be distracting. Trees and other background objects may appear in the photograph to be growing out of the stone. People in the background tend to compete with the foreground subject for interest. The background may be so dark or so bright and contrasty that the stone carving is not shown to best advantage.