Vote for the May 2017 Cover of the AC

[Eric Tipton]

Greetings:

After much discussion from the AC Staff, we have the Final Three Images. So, now it is your turn to vote for the May 2017 Cover of the Authentic Campaigner.

We are looking for the image that best-exemplify the look of the authentic living historian. All are taken with period technology only - wet plate, pencil drawing, field sketches, etc. In general, we want a winning image that looks like it could pass for an original. You are encouraged to make comments about why you voted for a particular image, but let's keep this constructive and civil. Which of these three images do you think belongs on the cover?

HERE ARE THE FINAL THREE:

IMAGE #1 - Submitted By Elaine Kessinger



IMAGE #2 - Submitted By Ben Beckman



IMAGE #3 - Submitted By Andrew Endsley



This poll will close in five days. The new cover image will be posted on or before May 1, 2017 and will stay up for one month. We will do it again in June!

[Dbackfed]

Re: Vote for the May 2017 Cover of the AC

Wow. #3 looks like the staff out of a Brady image.

[Tyler Underwood]

Re: Vote for the May 2017 Cover of the AC

These are some of the best I have ever seen.

[Cumpston1862]

Re: Vote for the May 2017 Cover of the AC

All three images have good content and will without a doubt fool many people as they are taken out of context in the open internet at some future date. For voting purposes I will have to go with number 3...well done. Bully job boys!

[Eric Tipton]

Re: Vote for the May 2017 Cover of the AC

These are some of the best I have ever seen.

Indeed. Tough choice this month. Three excellent images that are each worthy in their own way. Would love to see some concrete reasons why to vote for a particular image.

[robwall1861]

Re: Vote for the May 2017 Cover of the AC

Well, I will concur (and did vote on) #3....however, I'd have to say it was tough not to nominate #2 (looks like a good Western Theatre Impression).

My .02...

Robert (Robin) Wallace

[ohpkirk]

Re: Vote for the May 2017 Cover of the AC

I picked the second one since it was a ruby ambrotype that I shot.

[Michael Semann]

Re: Vote for the May 2017 Cover of the AC

The three submissions are nice enough to deserve taking the cover spot in succession for the next three months IMO. Starting with #3.

[Sheep_Skin_Fiddler]

Re: Vote for the May 2017 Cover of the AC

I'm biased in favor of #3, but love them all!!!

No. 3 was commissioned in about 1998 by Greg Mowry, who is dressed as the Major General. He designed and made many of the uniforms worn. This is a reversed image and if I recall several glass plate negatives and numerous tins were exposed during this half day colodian project.

The tent, flag, chairs, and drums were provided by History for Hire, a San Fernando, Ca. based movie prop shop where I, and some of the others pictured, used to work. I'm the 'Officer of the Day' with the sash over my shoulder. Jim Elyea, dressed as the 'Senator', co-founded History for Hire (love the shoes he's wearing). Everyone pictured has a reenactment past and or a deep interest in authentic historical impressions.

I believe the photographer is William Dunaway and we shot this in the hills north east of Los Angeles.

General Staff is rarely seen so this was fun to create. Robby, the African American gentleman who worked at History for Hire, added a unique and wonderful touch to the photo. It was bantered about to entitle it "The reflections of Cesar" and have him look directly at the camera to entice the viewer to think about all the changes and experiences 'Cesar' had experienced in his life to find himself serving a Union General at the height of the War, but I don't know if that was ever decided upon.

Hope you enjoy it!

Andrew Endsley

[FederalDrummerBoy]

Re: Vote for the May 2017 Cover of the AC

This is the best group for one month that I can ever remember but I am biased towards number 3. Go Andrew!

[cairnsy44]

Re: Vote for the May 2017 Cover of the AC

Honestly, you could not go wrong with sny of them. Amazing photos!

[Eric Tipton]

Re: Vote for the May 2017 Cover of the AC

Poll is open until tomorrow night. Get your vote counted. Great images to choose from this month.

[Tom Craig]

Re: Vote for the May 2017 Cover of the AC

Image number 1 is from the Hopewell Furnace civilian living history event in 2015. The photo was taken by Jim Pfeiffer. Hopewell is an NPS site that makes an awesome backdrop for an event. This event was one of the largest gatherings of civilian reenactors in the last several years.

Take care,
Tom Craig
1st Maine Cavalry

[Spinster]

Re: Vote for the May 2017 Cover of the AC

Each image is an entirely different genre type, and I'd argue they do not belong in competition with each other.

(1). Large grouping with extant period buildings.

(2). Lone individual.

(3) Military grouping with reproduction background.


We see a lot of images done of type # 2 and # 3, not so much of type 1. Each a category in their own right, and do not belong in competition with the others.

I'd like to hear more of the story on 2, and what/why he is holding.

[Eric Tipton]

Re: Vote for the May 2017 Cover of the AC

Congratulations to Andrew Endsley for his fantastic image this month. Thanks also to Elaine Kessinger and Ben Beckman. As has been stated here and on social media, these are three of the best ones we have had submitted since we started doing the cover years ago. It is a shame that only one gets the cover. It just goes to show that we have some great talent out there from both the wet plate artists and their subjects. Keep taking great images to show people what we are capable of doing.

Thanks to all who participated, voted and commented. The cover will be posted momentarily and we will see you all again next month. This poll is officially closed.