Selecting the Monthly Cover...

[mightyreb]

Re: Selecting the Monthly Cover...

For what it's worth, I agree on the then & now image idea. It could show what we are striving to do & how close (or far) we to attaining it. I also agree that if a good original photo has no provenance it should be able to be shown, someone may just know or it might make us hit the books a bit more...

Steven Hutton..

[Eric Tipton]

Re: Selecting the Monthly Cover...

I also agree that if a good original photo has no provenance it should be able to be shown, someone may just know or it might make us hit the books a bit more...

Good point. Anything we can do to encourage discussion and gasp, research.

[Dignann]

Re: Selecting the Monthly Cover...

I agree with Ms. Peebles This board and site is by and for reenactors. There already is a place to post and discuss original photos, in the folder entitled "Civil War Photos." There have been some very good discussions there. Perhaps in that folder, there can be a "Photo of the Month" for dissection and discussion.

Personally, I like to see the images folks are having made of themselves and how far they go to achieve "the look." Having the best one on the front page, voted by the forum members, is a great way of representing this site. I vote for keeping it the way it is.

Eric

[Marc29thGA]

Re: Selecting the Monthly Cover...

I personally look forward each month to the voting process and what the images will be. It is great to see what people have achieved with their impression and research.

If it’s not broke, don't fix it. :)

[Spinster]

Re: Selecting the Monthly Cover...

Right around the time Darling Daughter and I branched out from our occassional forays with extended family members in the late 18th century, to spending much more time in the 19th century, we saw an image taken of the Red Ribbon Ladies from the Adventist College in Chattanooga.

It took but one look to figure out we'd been running with the wrong folks.

This is a site to encourage the best in mid-19th century portayals--and the cover as it currently stands shows what can be done, and how close some folks come. Reward that behavior.

The only change I'd make is to require the 'who, what, when' information with the image submittal--not after the top three are chosen. Too many times that information is never submitted.

[Johnny Lloyd]

Re: Selecting the Monthly Cover...

I like the reenactor photos... If they can fool me on accuracy, I think it's cool. Bear in mind, though, they shouldn't be used for research. Go with the period photos and 1st person descriptions instead.

Thanks- Johnny Reb

[confederal]

Re: Selecting the Monthly Cover...

Everyone,

You wouldn't need to have two pictures at the same time and like Mr. Tipton said, it isnt possible with available space on the home page. I've made a website, it's hard changing all of that and getting things to fit. One picture a month. Whether it's an original or reenactor image I think it shouldn't be one or the other. I think most of the images should be reenactor images because that's what this website is about, but every once in awhile when you come across a great original image we should put it up for everyone to see. A different picture now and then isn't going to hurt anything and it's always good to see a change now and then, but I don't believe the front page image should be limited to one type. Maybe if we correspond the images with up-coming events or something like that. Like a picture of troops at Vicksburg posted would have been cool to see around the time of the LH, or reenactors at Vicksburg. I don't know if that's going to help in making a decision, but I gave my point of view on the matter.

Evan Isaacs

[CC sewing]

Re: Selecting the Monthly Cover...

Original images can be viewed in many, many sources. Images of reenactors whom are recreating those original soldiers however, are rarely as easily available to be shared.

Using correctly made period style reenactor images is far more in keeping with the original purpose of these forums.

I would prefer that we keep it as it is.

Me too! I really enjoy the reenactor photos, because they inspire me and are almost always so good that they look like the real deal (showing the authentic look to aim for - wow, can one look that close to the original?), and occasionally if I am familiar with one of the people in the photos, it's fun to see them looking so much like "back then".

Please do keep it the way it is!

[HOG.EYE.MAN]

Re: Selecting the Monthly Cover...

Original images can be viewed in many, many sources. Images of reenactors whom are recreating those original soldiers however, are rarely as easily available to be shared.

Using correctly made period style reenactor images is far more in keeping with the original purpose of these forums.

I would prefer that we keep it as it is.

Doug,

I understand your point, but I'm going to have to agree with Brian on this one.

Keep it the same.

[majdoc]

Re: Selecting the Monthly Cover...

I like the Cover.
It is something a little different. Keep up the good work.

[DougCooper]

Re: Selecting the Monthly Cover...

Using correctly made period style reenactor images is far more in keeping with the original purpose of these forums.

And that purpose would be?

Last word (from me anyway) - I guarantee you that everyone would immediately be able to pick out a real photo if included with 9 reenactor photos....every single month.

I don't want anyone in this hobby to aspire to look like a good reenactor - we ought to aspire to look like the real soldiers. But if that is not the point (some folks apparently think it is), then so be it.

How about we can the idea of using original cameras and go with modern cameras? Its a bit silly to insist on period photography if we say the goal is education to help us look like the best reenactors. In fact, its a bit silly since 99% of the period reenactor photos don't look real anyway. If we are trying to celebrate reenactors and the AC - why not use modern photography, ala CW Historian or whatever? That would at least get more than 8.4% of the forum involved who happen to be close to a period photographer...

[Hank Trent]

Re: Selecting the Monthly Cover...

How about we can the idea of using original cameras and go with modern cameras?

I go straight to the forums, so I rarely see the monthly image, and it's not a big deal to me. The whole concept seems to place too much emphasis on appearance, rather than function, and I'd like to see the hobby place more emphasis on doing rather than appearing. It takes more than clothes to make the man.

However, I'd argue that if a wet-plate camera is used, the subjects were at least going through something that mimicked what a subject went through to get his or her picture taken in the 1860s.

If we switch to modern cameras, all remnants of an 1860s experience are cast aside, and it becomes purely about the other kind of posing. :) Plus, it'll be just more reason to sneak modern cameras into events where they're discouraged, to get that really kewl shot that'll make the AC cover.

Hank Trent
hanktrent@voyager.net

[Spinster]

Re: Selecting the Monthly Cover...

That would at least get more than 8.4% of the forum involved who happen to be close to a period photographer...

Doug, I know everything is few and far between in Idaho, but now I'm curious--exactly how much of a reach is this for folks in most parts of the country?

Seriously, I go to good events and funnel cake festivals, as long as they are in my weekend driving range and I have no other obligations. This for me means east of the Mississippi, west of the Appalachians and south of the Ohio.

Most of the time, my problem is "Whoops, there's a wetplate feller, and I don't have any money". Still, I make sure to get one made at least once a year.

The only times I haven't seen a wetplate man in the last two years was because we were just too remote, and too few in numbers to make it worth a trip---either that or too cold for the chemicals to work--and my best image was made at 27 degrees and a stout breeze blowing, so that doesn't happen much down here.

[toptimlrd]

Re: Selecting the Monthly Cover...

I too like the then and now idea but understand the limitations of the pixel count. Perhaps the alternating cover idea would work as long as we somhow point out which is which for the viewing public.

[Andy Ackeret]

Re: Selecting the Monthly Cover...

I don't want anyone in this hobby to aspire to look like a good reenactor - we ought to aspire to look like the real soldiers. But if that is not the point (some folks apparently think it is), then so be it.

And I believe Doug has hit upon my feelings with this statement.

We always tell people to judge reproduction items to the originals, not other reproductions. Why would we do differently with photographs?