Queens Cemetery Belt

There are tons of cemeteries adjacent to each other in Queens in an area called the Cemetery Belt. There are so many cemeteries in this vicinity that my visit today barely scratched the surface! My mission was to try out my new camera and familiarize myself with the area for a more targeted return. I used my telephoto lens with a new Nikon body. It did well but, as you’ll see, I need to take off the petal that surrounds it as it casted a shadow. I kind of enjoyed its framing through my viewfinder, but after reviewing images I wished I would have just taken it off. Here are some of the shots I like inside my cemetery season.

Mount Olivet Cemetery in Maspeth. Small enough to conquer in one visit, this hilly cemetery made for an easy first visit.

My favorite Angel, the Monteverde Angel. Green-Wood’s is way fiercer.

Butta face. Sorry.

All Faiths Cemetery in Middle Village, Queens was my next stop. It was an overwhelming stop. Overwhelming because I was so excited with discovering its beauty. The overgrowth and abandonment along with many old graves and mausoleums had me running around like a kid in a candy store. I love that feeling of discovery.

And so many pretty faces…

Some tangled all up. Just like a woman.

The overgrowth on some of the mausoleums blew my mind. Vines, aggressive with time, had actually broken into many, enveloping them and tying them to the land.

Broken stained glass. I think I may inquire about volunteering at this cemetery. It looks like it could use some help and then I can take tons of pictures!

This mausoleum… my goodness

Vines busted into the crypt

I kept saying to myself, “What did this guy do?” Nature had so attacked his resting place that I made up stories behind it. Perhaps he had committed heinous acts against the environment. A logger?

More peaceful faces

This lady hitches a ride. “Called Higher”

And how about this beauty? She hasn’t aged a day.

Lots of handless

Some headless

Me thinking about my reactions to hypothetical situations that won’t ever happen

Pretty in the brush

Obnoxious vines

This one was a bit awkward.

Losing light, I had to head back to Brooklyn. I did not cover as much ground as I had hoped–what with days being so short. But my next visit to Queens’ Cemetery Belt would be more informed. Till next time!