Gettysburg at 150
A week ago I spent two days (separately) in Gettysburg during the Sesquicentennial Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg. Quick synopsis: Robert E. Lee's Army collided with the Union around Gettysburg. Three days of fighting ensued, 50K soldiers were killed wounded or missing from the battle, and the war was essentially over, because the Confederates lost the battle. Flash forward 5 months in 1863, and you get Lincoln's Gettysburg Address at the Cemetery in Gettysburg, and the place is sealed in legend.
What I've always found to be interesting at these Civil War events/gatherings is meeting the people go to these events. The most successful images I came away were the ones that required getting closer and perhaps even talking to the subject. First, I found that, often, as a photographer, we get to see things behind the scenes that many don't. This includes reenactors sleeping. Here are a few photographs of confederate living historians (as they're technically called) in repose.
Secondly, I found people that looked interesting and I made portraits (some candid, some posed). They were all dressed for the occasion, and they were living historians and "regular" people.
Third, I'm always fascinated with how people observe events these days. Increasingly, people are placing a camera, ipad or phone between their eyes and what is actually happening. Sometimes its for a picture or two, but more and more often I'm finding people are shooting video with these devices and are witnessing the event only through the screen in front of them. It's a curiosity to me, to travel and spend the time and energy to go somewhere to "experience" something like this, and to do it from behind the screen of you're iPad or iPhone.
Finally, there are a few pictures from the general experience when I wasn't talking to people and I was just walking, and watching...
What I've always found to be interesting at these Civil War events/gatherings is meeting the people go to these events. The most successful images I came away were the ones that required getting closer and perhaps even talking to the subject. First, I found that, often, as a photographer, we get to see things behind the scenes that many don't. This includes reenactors sleeping. Here are a few photographs of confederate living historians (as they're technically called) in repose.
Secondly, I found people that looked interesting and I made portraits (some candid, some posed). They were all dressed for the occasion, and they were living historians and "regular" people.
Planting flags at the Soldiers National Cemetery (Gettysburg Address)
Mourning dress, or "Widow Weeds", as I was told they were called...
Lincoln look-alike contest.
Third, I'm always fascinated with how people observe events these days. Increasingly, people are placing a camera, ipad or phone between their eyes and what is actually happening. Sometimes its for a picture or two, but more and more often I'm finding people are shooting video with these devices and are witnessing the event only through the screen in front of them. It's a curiosity to me, to travel and spend the time and energy to go somewhere to "experience" something like this, and to do it from behind the screen of you're iPad or iPhone.
Thousands gathered on the Confederate side to participate in the Commemmorative Pickett's Charge Walk on July 3, 2013. Pickett's charge was the final, unsuccessful Southern advance that ended the Battle of Gettysburg.
Finally, there are a few pictures from the general experience when I wasn't talking to people and I was just walking, and watching...
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