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Richard Barnes
A reenactment of the Battle of Antietam in Sharpsburg, Md., this past weekend.
The Civil War was the first war to have dead soldiers photographed before they were buried – most notably by Mathew Brady and Alexander Gardner – two pioneers of photojournalism. Drawing on those photographers for inspiration, Richard Barnes goes to different Civil War reenactments and shoots the battles using the same laborious techniques Brady and Gardner used: wet plate photography.
Richard Barnes
A participant at the reenactment of the Battle of Antietam in Sharpsburg, Md., this past weekend.
“You might see a car in the background of my photographs because I am not interested in replicating the past,” Barnes said. “I'm not interested in nostalgia. I'm approaching this from an artistic point of view. I'm interested in what I refer to as the ‘slippage of time.’”
Richard Barnes uses wet plate photography from the era to record the battle reenactments.
Watch Rock Center's report on Richard Barnes.
This week marks the 150th anniversary of the bloodiest battle in American history, the battle of Antietam. Amid a battlefield full of re-enactors, photographer Richard Barnes commemorated the anniversary with a camera very much like those used during the Civil War.
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It's interesting that the photographer includes images of cars, trucks and electrical high voltage lines in his shots. Kind of like an historical juxtaposition. However the stocky and well fed reenactors present a different vision from Brady's stark, slim combatants of 150 years ago.
It's probably a good thing he includes modern items in his pictures.So people won't pass these images off as old photographs. Aside from that, I find it intriguing someone is doing this from an artist point of view. The result is like stepping back in time and helping us to visualize the world of our ancestors. Appreciating what we have today and how far we have come while gaining more understanding in some ways for those who lived long ago.
From the stand point of the Civil War, it is probably just dry history for most people. But being able to create these photos may help more people to grasp its reality and gain greater insights into how important it really was in our country's history and development.Kudos for Richard Barnes creativity. It may also help people realize the huge loss of life America suffered in this terrible event. Surely we might learn something from it still.
war is ghastly no matter when or what it portrays.
Yes, except for that one small little detail. With war you'd be a peasant to whoever the current ruling warlord was.
I love history, and I've read a lot about the Civil War...but...reenactors seem sort of star-trek-conventiony.
Guess they are waiting for Photo Shop to catch up to the old Technology.
Why are there minivans and power lines in the photos?
There is so much to learn from the words in the article that go along with the pictures.
Here's a better question, why are there weird symbols scatted around the pictures?...oh wait, those are words. Read them first and then ask any questions that weren't already answered in the article...
at least the trekkies are playing in a supposedly better time for humanity
i find no interest in replaying one of the bloodiest wars ever.
Civil war is always existed before a nation is born; and ours is just the same with the rewards of the establishments of our government, three branches, and our constitutional rights, which have been continually protecting us.
Thanks for those who have sacrificed their lives for our nation. Thanks. It will be shame for the people who has hung an empty chair and a USA flag on a tree in the former President Bush state, TX.
First Amendment is good if with decency, dignity, and dedication to those who have fought for our liberty.
No man with any sense would have tried to photograph an actual Civil War battle in progress. The huge bullets of the time, and thousands of shots fired by both sides, made the whole area deadly. Two days later the stacks of bodies told the tale without the danger. Also, long exposure times meant blurry pictures of moving subjects. I sort of get the idea of bending time -- the pallet of water bottles didn't click for a moment, then it became ironic.
Somehow they've never seemed to successfully reenact the feeling of being shot dead and wounded by the thousands.
whatever
Boy! They had a lot of fun killing each other, didn't they?
THE VALUE OF HUMAN LIFE. Once again you glorify the "observer" and disgrace the brave young souls that expired at Antietam. Have you all ever submitted to intelligence tests? You are so stupid, you think you are so smart. You see, your value of human life is so different than that of your viewers, it is like watching cannibal TV. As you wink and disregard this email, understand it is your inhuman disregard of human life that is alienating you from the simple-minded Americans you wish to manipulate (your superiors) that are so much greater than you. Trying to explain it to you is like explaining the ocean to an ant. You deserve your ratings.
didn'tgotocommiecamp, you're why we can't have nice things.
Do you mean the value placed on life by the southern slave holders? Or is that the irony of your post?
Irony? Don't give him too much credit..
didn'tgotocommiecamp... geez, who pissed in your coffee this morning. I've read some rants, but yours takes the cake. Go refill your prescriptio.
Somehow as we progress into the future, cameras are adding more and more pounds to people. I figured it was because newer camera lenses are made differently. But now I see even old cameras are not immune to this effect and also make people look heavy in photos taken today.
I came to comment on how awesome this was, but before I could get here to type my comment I already read at least 6 comments made by whiners: Oh, why show minivans and powerlines? Oh, these re-enactors are too fat, blah blah blah.
That's what I was just thinking... everyone's bitching just ruins it for everyone else...
didn'tgotocommiecamp, you make broad sweeping statements without personally knowing the facts to back them up.I had numerous ancestors who fought on both sides of the Civil War, including one who survived the battle at Antietam. Only later to die at Camp Sumter, or Andersonville Prison as it became known, run by the Confederacy. I have another ancestor who, after surviving numerous battles, was also taken prisoner, and along side 12,913 others, perished there as well.
Those who fought and struggled for America were not "simple minded" folks. They may not have been able to read or write in many cases. However, they had sophisticated skills and knew how to make their way through a world that was challenging. Which if we were placed in, most of us would not survive. Advances in various fields such a science,industry, education and economics paved the way for the industrial revolution which formed the roots leading to the Civil War to begin with. Those who lived even thousands of years ago continually surprise modern man with their incredible inventions.We may have the ability to read and write, use a computer and drive a car. Yet, is being sophisticated better in the end? When it comes to actual life skills like working well with others, listening, not judging and compassion, isn't that what is essential?
Those who participate in re-enactments and people who photograph them, try to capture these important events for the most part, to preserve history. To appreciate the price paid by so many which allowed our nation to move forward becoming the greatest nation in the world eventually. Not to glorify the violence, pain suffered and blood shed. Instead, to help others learn what happened so it's not forgotten. That perhaps we won't make the same mistakes, and brother fight against brother, father against son. The sad part is, there are those who still insist the South will rise again.
You guys kill me!!!! You complain about people wasting their time doing this, you tell them they've got it all wrong, there is too much of this, too little of that. At least the reeactors put down their mice and closed the laptop lids and got off their butts to do something, anything, got involved and many of them not only taught others history and raised money for a park system that runs as close to broke as any other agency in this economy. Yes ma'am, they did all that while more important people pointed out their errors and their wasting of time instead of complaining 24/7 about life to the audience on the internet......freaking trolls. Get a life.
Somehow the power lines and cars in the background detract from the authenticity...
For those in this digital age, could the reporter have included a description of wet plate photography?
Google it... but if you want the short answer....
wet plate photography is essentially the same as traditional (non digital photography) where instead of using film (plastic coated in a light sensitive gel) you use a plate (could be glass, metal, wood, etc) coated in a light sensitive liquid which you place in a camera. Back then it would have been basically a light tight box with a pin hole in the front and a lens that would take in the light from the pin hole and magnify it onto the back of the box (where the plate would be). When you are ready to take a picture you would either remove the lens cap for a few seconds/ minutes or slide a panel at the back of the box out which would have been protecting the plate from any light. Replace the cap/panel, remove the plate (in darkeness) and then "fix" the light sensitive chemical so it doesnt continue to darken by dipping it in another chemical solution.
Good job on the answer, Rose CG.
I think these images are awesome m'self. And I especially like the addition of the cars and power lines that say "modern," juxtaposed with the wet plate technology. These are really cool.
After all, didn't the Civil War really only occur in black and white? I can't picture it any other way. When I see images of reenactments in color they look, will, phony. These don't, even with Chrysler in the b.g.
He would be more credible if he knew that the number of dead at the Battle was not 8,000 as he says. The Union had 12,401 casualties with 2,108 dead. Confederate casualties were 10,318 with 1,546 dead.
This is weird ...
If I'm going to go back and do photography I would want to do pin hold...that said this was interesting. I dont agree the fact that he left modern things in the pics but that is just my opinion and as these are his pics; his choice. As to war...no matter what century you're in it's ugly but as long as there is intelligent life there will be war. People are never happy with what they have...no matter what country they come from...from birth the training includes striving for more.
power lines, motorized conveyances, and whole bunch of fatties
The Rock Center segment last night featuring Ted Kopel was excellent.
His commentary and interviews described exactly the problem
with media news: few hard facts and too many biased commentary