Vote For the 50th Cover of the AC

[Eric Tipton]

Greetings Everyone:

It is time to vote for the 50th Cover of the Authentic Campaigner! Please vote for the image that you feel is the most authentic. If your image is one of the final three, we require that you provide some background information about the inspiration or impression for the image in this thread.

We encourage conversation about the impressions portrayed as well as any documentation that might be available that would add to the discussion. The intent of the selection process is to determine why you think one image is superior to another.

Image #1 - October 2005 - 11th Edition



Image #2 - August 2008 - 44th Edition



Image #3 - May 2008 - 41st Edition



Thanks to everyone who has submitted 0ver the years and good luck to the finalists.

This poll will close in five days.

[Fenianboy]

Re: Vote For the 50th Cover of the AC

#1.....Why?....look who it is!

[Ian McWherter]

Re: Vote For the 50th Cover of the AC

The circa 1849 photo of Chandra and I was taken on the occasion of our first year together as a couple (June 2006) at the Columbia Diggins' event where we first met, now we're married. William Dunniway was the photographer.

Our inspiration for the image was taken from numerous images of late 1840s couples. All of the clothing that we are wearing is documented specifically to the year 1849 (too bad the diamond pattern of the white cotton Marseilles vest I'm wearing didn't show up). Here are some examples of Daguerreotypes taken during the same period from various ebay auctions:

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

Re: Vote For the 50th Cover of the AC

I was really afraid this would happen - two of my favorite images up for vote, both of them citizen's images and both showing incredible scholarly research, impecable detailed clothing and pose, and both showing fine living historians at their craft. I still remember Ian and Jason explaining what went into each image and I was awed the first time and I'm still in awe. Image 2 is just as researched and posed, but its a scene not often posed in the real war, but very often posed for today's ambrotypist. Think of the thousands of images that survive today and they are more often than not of citizens, and both of these citizen images have the "best of the best". Even though those of us with soldier impressions have spent thousands of dollars on those impressions, lets not overlook the equally expensive and time consuming citizen's impressions, which are fewer and far between. Not to take anything at all from Mr. Lloyd and friends in the 2nd image, but lets show some support for these incredible citizen's images. I nominated #1 originally, but only after much mental anguish for #3. They are what we should all aspire to be when making images.

[FTrooper]

Re: Vote For the 50th Cover of the AC

WOW! All are great choices, I have to go along with Ross in that a couple of my favorites are up there! I REALLY love the 1840's picture of Ian and Chandra...their attention to detail and research really comes through in the image...BUT...my pragmatic overanalytical Germanic side will have to go with #2 just because the main focus on this site is 1861-1865 and does tend to have a strong military focus (it is about a war) that I feel if there is a single image that trys to represent the WHOLE, it should encompass that aspect for the 50th...though personally I'd MUCH rather see either of the very lovely ladies when I sign on!

Chris Fischer
Fort McKavett
&
F-Troop

[Ian McWherter]

Re: Vote For the 50th Cover of the AC

BUT...my pragmatic overanalytical Germanic side will have to go with #2 just because the main focus on this site is 1861-1865 and does tend to have a strong military focus (it is about a war) that I feel if there is a single image that trys to represent the WHOLE, it should encompass that aspect for the 50th...

Chris Fischer
Fort McKavett
&
F-Troop

There's been a growing movement in the AC community over the last few years towards citizens impressions, and many of those individuals who've decide to put on the uniform of the citizen are increasingly looking towards the Antebellum period. People want to explore and understand what it was like to live and work as a civilian in pre-war America. What did these men do before they were soldiers what was the society like that shaped and molded them? I think this is as important, if not more, than knowing all the minutia of uniforms, military firearms, battle statistics, etc. Increasingly military reenactors are laying down their muskets in favor of plows, hammers, saws and shovels in order to learn how to ply a trade as a contemporary citizen. They've realized experiencing a typical workday is a more realistic goal than trying to recreate the horrors of war.

Reenacting horizons are broadening, there are vast unexplored areas of history for us to experience. This is a wonderful time to be a living historian.:)

[Mcguire]

Re: Vote For the 50th Cover of the AC

Since I nominated image #2 I of course voted for it. As for Mr. Lamoreaux's comment that it is not an image typically posed during the war, the idea is not necessarily that the image be posed. This image is a great example of images captured by Alexander Gardner and other such photographers that represent photo journalism of the era.

I love the lok of contempt on the part of the Rebs for their guard as well as the look of resignment that the war for them is over. Mr. Lloyd's expression looks as if he is less than pleased with drawing this unpleasant duty of guarding this motley group of white trash!

[Rebelkid01]

Re: Vote For the 50th Cover of the AC

My vote is for image 3. The reason is because of the attention that went into the hair styles. Sometimes me pay more attention to clothes and forget hair. Great job!

[Johnny Lloyd]

Re: Vote For the 50th Cover of the AC

Who's that ugly Yankee guard over Mr. Clark's secesh hooligans?

In actuality, I thought sublimeness of Mr. Clark's photograph is what is most impressive. This image could be in any stack of period images and I dare say anyone would not know if it were original or not. This picture was Mr. Clark's kindness to add me in it- all at the last minute and I thank him for the privilege. It's rare and remarkable when a period image comes together like it did that day.

I also like the fact that #2 is the only military image nominated.

For the record, I feel the others are excellent as well... again, I'd have to be partial to #2 for obvious reasons. ;)

All the best- Johnny Lloyd:wink_smil

[Greg Barnett]

Re: Vote For the 50th Cover of the AC

I most appreciate #1 and #3 for the detail and the investment made in both. My choice would have to be #3 based on the pose.
I think that, in the period, very few would have made a photo with the lady upon the lap of a young man. (Although that is where I would prefer my lady.) Based upon published historical reference that I have viewed, I have not seen a pose such as #1, as of yet.
The set up and pose for #3 is most commonly represented.
Jason's and Anne's impression is great and spot on, but the pose is risque for the period, I believe. Even the pose with Ian's arm draped around Chandra, seems a little mischevious to me. The period photos that Ian submitted show more reserve. With all of that being said, I cast my vote for #3. In my opinion and study of period photos, it best represents our period.

[Ian McWherter]

Re: Vote For the 50th Cover of the AC

To further this discussion with historic documentation I've added the following pictures to this thread. Both are images of couples posed in what we might consider "risque" posses, but aren't all that uncommon for the period. Many couples show reserve when posed together, but others are much more open about showing genuine love and affection for each other. Both of the following images date to before the Civil War and are from Dressed For The Photographer by Joan Severa.

This is the image Chandra and I more or less based our "pose" on. Image dates to 1848-50 (Note the placement of his hand and that his arm, like mine, isn't draped on her, rather simply resting on the back of her chair):


I think Jason might have been using this image, or one very similar, for their pose. Image dates to 1849-51:

[ThehosGendar]

Re: Vote For the 50th Cover of the AC

Thanks for posting that, Ian! That's exactly the photo that we copied, from Dressed for the Photographer. In fact, if you look, Annie posed her hand with her finger pointed exactly how the woman in the image did. I look a little more disgruntled than the fellow, and it's only because I had to quickly get up as soon as the exposure was made and run, grab the plate holder, and develop the plate myself.

Our image was taken a month before we got engaged in August 2005, at the wet plate class at Eastfield Village in East Nassau, N.Y. I did the chemistry for the image, until the watchful eyes of John Coffer, Will Dunniway, and Claude LeVet, and Mr. Coffer took the actual exposure. I then quickly tossed off my jacket, rolled up my sleeves, and with Mr. Coffer's aide, we ran to develop the image.

The whole image itself was kind of spur of the moment. We happened to have our stuff with us, and as part of the class, we had to made an ambro and a tintype. I had already made the ambro, and we thought it'd be cool to try this pose. We pretty much threw our stuff together in a matter of minutes.

I've also attached another image similar to the one we copied, and I have to admit that I don't remember where I snagged it. I think from an e-bay auction, though I don't remember when or from where it was being sold.

As always, Ian, I am in awe of your '40s stuff! I'm still trying out my Devere's to get some frocks and things tailored and tapered as great as your stuff!

[Ian McWherter]

Re: Vote For the 50th Cover of the AC

Thanks for posting that, Ian!

Hey, no problem. You guys did a wonderful job in your photo, I've always enjoyed that image. Maybe one day we can get together and do some 1840s stuff at Harpers Ferry or something.

[HangarFlying]

Re: Vote For the 50th Cover of the AC

I had trouble deciding, but eventually chose #3. It was not a choice of which was more "authentic", because as previously mentioned all were equally qualified in that department. Ultimately, it came down to pure emotion, and I felt that the facial expressions in #3 were a little more intense.

Perhaps for a future cover, one of the options we can vote for can be a "collage" of similarly themed photos so that way our choice is less difficult! :wink_smil

[Skip Korte]

Re: Vote For the 50th Cover of the AC

I must concur with many of the comments posted. It is, as expected, a difficult decision. All have merits that entitle a spot for the 50th cover photo: after all, they did initially make the cut to be a cover photo on the A/C. However, my choice was made by the "good feeling" conveyed by Image #1. There is an abundance of "doom and gloom" trying to smother us daily. I see this photo as warm and encouraging and a shift from the more serious and tragic images of the period. It might be a trivial point of contention, but I would prefer to see this image next month, every time I log on: especially during the often bleak weather of February!

Regards,