by JD » May 6, 2013 7:59 am
Grafitti conveys at least three "types" of information: the content, the orthography [style], and the media. I try to record all three. Content is simply copied down. I also note in writing the media, since there are some temporal parameters for some of them (I.e carbide is post 1900, spray-paint is post WW II) and I photograph them as well, to help record the style (block letters, 19th century letter with serifs, use of first of two s, etc.).
If it is big project I have other recommendations about using a spreadsheet and linking the locations to the map. learned the hard way at Hubbards Cave. Which may require mapping.
Explore the photos through various manipulations using contrast, b & W etc. See the article I write with M.O.Smith and Jan F. Simek in the Journal of Spelean History on Identification of a Civil War Soldier's Name in South Carthage Cave for an example of data manipulation.
Best of luck. I also have some ideas about researching the names once recorded.
Dr. Joseph Douglas