Vote For the 50th Cover of the AC

[Johnny Lloyd]

Re: Vote For the 50th Cover of the AC

A thought just now-

Too bad we couldn't have found an image that has both military/civilians in it as to be more representative of everyone in the hobby. Perhaps this should be considered for the AC's future hallmark covers.

All the best- Johnny Lloyd:wink_smil

[FTrooper]

Re: Vote For the 50th Cover of the AC

Thanks Ian for your earlier post, your grasp on the situations that are coming is amazing. It is indeed a great time to be involved. 15 years ago there were few if any "civilian" impressions, and even fewer "pre-war" focuses...it used to blow my mind how many "scholars" there are who can't break out of the 1861-1865 mold! They never look at earlier things that might have influenced the material culture of the period, or for that fact what the ACW influenced in turn and work backwards! Its as though to them the world began in 1861 and ended in 1865 and everything in the universe can be explained in those four years! And as you noted, MOST of the soldiers in the ACW were NOT soldiers in 1860 and they had already existed on Earth for about 20 years SO basically KUDOS to you and anyone else who is branching out. I have always has a huge interested and weakness for the period of 1845-1861 and it is so nice to see folks do that era!!! (I ironically work at a Fort that was closed in 1859 and reopened in 1868).

Just a little story about your image and how much I do love it! The first time I saw the picture of you and Chandra, I had to grab my girlfriend and run her to the computer to show her the exacting details of the hair, clothing, pose, attitudes, etc. I hope she and I can get anywhere as close when we do out 1853 stuff at the Fort!

Most Sincerely,
Chris Fischer
Fort McKavett
&
F-Troop

[Greg Barnett]

Re: Vote For the 50th Cover of the AC

Ian and Jason,
Great job on both.
I did not mean to imply that something had to be common for it to be authentic. My studies of the civilian and pre war images is just not there yet. I guess when it comes down to it, I am just envious that you both have a fine portrait of you and your lady and I do not!
Thank you both for you commitment to detail and study.

[CYoungJSU]

Re: Vote For the 50th Cover of the AC

While thinking about the military versus citizen side of this forum, The Civil War Letters of Joshua K. Callaway came to mind. Callaway enlisted in the 28th Alabama as a first sergeant in March 1862, was promoted to second lieutenant in October 1862, and was killed on November 25, 1863, during the fight on Missionary Ridge. One of the most interesting aspects of Callaway's term of service is his outlook on serving in the Confederate Army and the 180 he pulls in less than a year. On April 25, 1862, Joshua writes to his wife, Dulcinea, concerning his love of military service.

You need not be afraid of my suffering from exposure: our tents are very comfortable. In short I am enjoying myself finely. I had much rather be here that teaching school. And then, in addition to my fun, the Yankees are advancing upon us, but what kills my fun from that quarter is, we can't get into the fight (8-9).

Less than a year later, on March 17, 1863, Callaway writes home again. This time, his story has changed from an excited boy, itching for a fight, to a somber man, longing for hearth and home.

The Regiments are filling up considerably and I think they will be sundered soon. I don't know though that it will do me any good. I don't care anything about promotions. I wouldn't give a fig to be a Lieutenant general, if it were not for the sake of the big pay. But O! How I would love to be a citizen-- a school teacher (75).

I believe we all can learn a thing or two from Joshua Callaway's letters of life. Although there were some who longed to serve the Confederacy until its dying day, most soldiers were like Callaway. They longed for action, but once "the elephant" and camp life became an everyday reality, they longed to go home and take up their previous trades.

[Thomas Alleman]

Re: Vote For the 50th Cover of the AC

I am torn, I have friends in two of the photos but I do like number 3, this is to hard choice and I cannot vote without being able to vote for all three. I do like one and three allot, great impressions and poses. This is not fair. I only hope to take pics like these when, HAHA, if I find a special woman to take them with. So I will vote but it will be decided by rolling a dice or spinning a wheel or something like that. Also thanks for posting the civilian pics they are awesome, I think we need more civilian clothing made, and used by both sides. Also all soldiers started out as civilians and should have something. Ok a bully buy suggestion civilian clothing.

[KPavia]

Re: Vote For the 50th Cover of the AC

Good speech, Ian! I vote for #3. I do believe #2 is more relevant to the site, but how can we expect to honor the men who fought if all we know about them are 4 small years of their lives?

[Rebel Yell1863]

Re: Vote For the 50th Cover of the AC

I voted for #2, it is one of the best images I've seen in a long time.

They have 'the look', the look of contempt for their guard as well as the look of resignment that the war for them is over...

[Collodian Artist Wife]

Re: Vote For the 50th Cover of the AC

All three finalists are amazing. To me both #1 and #3 are particularly stunning images. It is wonderful to see the inclusion of two civilian impressions as finalists.

I voted for #3 because the composition, apparel, hair, pose and backdrop are so representative of civilian images of the period. (And I wish I had an excuse to make & wear a similar 1849 style dress.)

While #1 is an image of visual delight,( the subjects of the image appear far more alive and animated than most representative images) the expressions seem quite modern to me. Perhaps if Mr. Coffer had been taking the images more period representations would have shown more life and animation.

So, while all of the images are fabulous, I voted for #3.
Vivian Harrington

[Tom Craig]

Re: Vote For the 50th Cover of the AC

I think this month's poll is interesting...#2 is in the lead for votes, but #'s 2 and 3 have received the most support via messages. I will join the chorus of those who voted for #3.

To me #3 captures not only "the look" but also the spirit of period photography. Plus the numerous examples of very similar historical examples to me tips the scale in favor of #3. #1 is also an excellent picture, I just happen to think #3 does just a slightly better job.

To me, #2 is a nifty modern image doing a good job to look like a period photo. The impressions of those in the photo are all pretty decent, but the overall composition of the shot just doesn't have the right look to me. In my way of looking at it, if this forum is supposed to be about recreating the CW period as closely as possible, the #3 is the way to go!

Take care,
Tom Craig

[garyjd]

Re: Vote For the 50th Cover of the AC

To me, #2 is a nifty modern image doing a good job to look like a period photo. The impressions of those in the photo are all pretty decent, but the overall composition of the shot just doesn't have the right look to me. In my way of looking at it, if this forum is supposed to be about recreating the CW period as closely as possible, the #3 is the way to go!


Tom Craig

Tom, I only wished the mods would have allowed a 1 or 2 day vote on what we felt were the best images rather the first ten chosen by those lucky enough to be able to pick one. ~Gary

[Iceman]

Re: Vote For the 50th Cover of the AC

Sorry minorities, looks like the silent majority has prevailed on this one, and I couldn't support it more. :wink_smil

[garyjd]

Re: Vote For the 50th Cover of the AC

It would have been interesting to see how the voting would have looked had there only been one civilian image. ~Gary

[Eric Tipton]

Re: Vote For the 50th Cover of the AC

Tom, I only wished the mods would have allowed a 1 or 2 day vote on what we felt were the best images rather the first ten chosen by those lucky enough to be able to pick one. ~Gary

Gary:

I thought about it, but the maximum number of voting options is fifteen and to ask for a consensus of three images out of forty-nine by simply discussing it would have been cumbersome at best given the timeframe to select the image by the end of the month.

Congratulations to Nic Clark for the winning fiftieth image of the AC. To be chosen out of forty-nine is an honor to be sure.

Thanks to everyone who has submitted since 2004. I'm sure that there will be more good ones in the upcoming months.

This poll is officially closed.