Date/Time
Saturday, October 3rd, 2026 | 6:30am - 8:00am
Where We Will Meet
Meet at the cemetery entrance at 40th Street & Avenue K
Where The Walk Will End
Join us at Henry's Mexican Restaurant (2823 Broadway Street)
About This Walk
Join us for a first ever spooky early morning photowalk at the Old City Cemetery in Galveston (Broadway and 40th Streets). Permission from the City of Galveston has been secured for this photowalk.
The early morning fog (hopefully) and long shadows at this historic cemetery should provide some very scary….I mean interesting photo opportunities.
Parking and Meeting Spot
Parking is available along 40th Street and Avenue K. Remember to check for any parking restrictions. Meet at the entrance of the cemetery at 40th Street and Avenue K.
Gear Tips
Everything from.super-wide to short telephoto. As this is an old, historic cemetery, please do not use a tripod. A Platypod would provide the stability for long exposure shots. Think about also bringing an off-camera flash that’s gelled (red, green, blue, etc.) to provide interesting lighting opportunities.
Afterwards
Join us at Henry’s Mexican Restaurant (2823 Broadway Street) for the chance to meet and enjoy breakfast.
About Me
- I’ve been photographing since the early 1970’s when I ‘borrowed’ my brother’s Minolta SRT-101….for a year
- I moved to digital in 2000 with a Nikon D100
- I’ve been part of Houston Photowalks since 2013
- Capture One is my primary RAW editor/organization software, and use Lightroom for HDR and Pano
- I retired from Houston Methodist as their risk manager the end of 2025
Looking forward to the walk! Since it’s a long drive for us, will likely stay in a hotel the night before.
Important Details
Please give these key details a quick read before you head out.
•Please arrive 10 to 15 minutes early. The photowalk starts at 6:30 AM sharp, and the group will head out on time and cannot stop or go back for late arrivals.
•This is an outdoor cemetery photowalk, so please be respectful of the space and other visitors while we are shooting.
•Rain is in the forecast for the full event window, so bring rain protection for yourself and your camera and wear shoes that can handle wet ground.
•The best light will begin around blue hour and sunrise, so be ready to shoot as soon as we start.
•Please see the Weather, Parking, What to Bring, and some useful Camera Tips at the bottom of this email.
Location
4201 Broadway Avenue J, Galveston, TX 77550
Parking Information
Plan on street parking around the cemetery (along Broadway/Avenue J and the surrounding side streets). Parking for Old City Cemetery tours is typically free on-street—just park legally and avoid blocking driveways, sidewalks, or gates. Please arrive a few minutes early so you have time to find a spot and walk in.
What To Bring
Expect warm, wet conditions around 79 to 80 degrees during this early morning outdoor photowalk, with rain likely through blue hour and sunrise. Wear water-friendly walking shoes and bring simple rain protection for yourself and your gear, plus a fast lens or other low-light support for the dim early light.
Suggested Camera Gear
•Fast prime lens for low light
•Wide-angle lens for cemetery scenes and atmosphere
•Short telephoto or zoom lens for monuments and details
•Rain cover for camera
L•ens cloth
•Remote shutter release for steady low-light shots
Human Gear
•Closed-toe walking shoes with good grip
•Lightweight rain jacket or poncho
•Breathable clothing for warm, humid weather
•Bottle of water
•Small towel
•Bug wipes
Camera Tips and Challenges
Easy Photo Challenge
Make inscriptions readable in rainy, low-contrast light. Wet stone can look dark and flat, and your camera may underexpose it. Set Aperture Priority (or “A/Av”), choose f/5.6–f/8 for sharp lettering, turn on Auto ISO, and dial +0.3 to +1.0 EV exposure compensation if the headstone is coming out too dark. Use single-point AF and focus directly on the engraved text; take a second frame after gently changing your angle to reduce glare on the wet surface.
Creative Boost Photo Challenge
Use puddles and wet surfaces for reflections (6:30–7:30 AM). After (or during) light rain, look for shallow puddles on paths or near curbs and place a monument or statue in the reflection. Get very low (kneeling or camera near ground), shoot wide (24–35mm), and keep the reflection’s “horizon” straight. If you have a circular polarizer, rotate it to control glare on wet stone—then take a second version with the polarizer adjusted the opposite way to strengthen the reflection and compare.
Expert Level Photo Challenge
Bracket for a clean, dramatic sky + detailed stone (HDR blend later). Around 6:50–7:30 AM the sky brightness can change quickly while gravestones stay dark. Use a tripod if you have one, switch to manual exposure, and shoot a 5-frame bracket (e.g., -2, -1, 0, +1, +2 EV) at a steady aperture like f/8. Keep ISO as low as practical and let shutter speed vary; use a 2-second timer to avoid shake. This gives you options to blend later so the sky isn’t blown out and the carved details aren’t crushed.
Camera Phone Photo Challenge
Phone “macro” details + raindrop management. Find a small subject that thrives in wet conditions—letters filled with water, lichen texture, or a flower left at a grave—and fill the frame. Wipe the lens often, then tap-and-hold to lock AE/AF on the text/texture and slide exposure slightly down if highlights are blowing out on wet stone. If your phone supports it, use RAW/ProRAW and the 2×/tele lens for cleaner close-ups (less distortion than ultra-wide). For steadiness in dim light, brace your elbows against your body or a stable object and fire a short burst to pick the sharpest frame.