Back to the War

Author: Alex  |  Category: Events, Photography

This time the Civil War. This weekend I was at yet another re-enactment doing the photography thing (I have one expensive hobby, I cannot afford to pick up another one and join them out in the field! Maybe one day!).

It was a lot smaller than the Siege, but just as enjoyable as the spectators were a lot closer to the action this time around, and they had horses! I spent most of the morning taking photos of people and chatting with the various folks around the camps ect, several whom had also been at the siege. However the most impressive work came out of the battle at 3pm (they had to move it back an hour because of a wedding happening at the same location, can’t have the vows happening while rifle and field gun fire were going off).

FIRE!

All my photos from the event can be found here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/axle81401/sets/72157621998707303/

Siege of Fort Erie

Author: Alex  |  Category: Events, Photography

Once again I was allowed back to photograph the Siege of Fort Erie event. This year, unlike last I was much more restricted in my movements so I wasn’t able to shoot in true photojournalist style, but I was able to pick up some great shots from the event as it is.

The British
The British Line.

The trouble with events like this is because dispite appearances things happen really quickly out on the battle field. I found that setting my camera to Continuous High Speed mode, will give you a better selection of shots to choose from. During the day it’s hard to catch the explosive forces when a musket/rifle is fired. But with careful timing you can get some impressive shots.


The Americans fire a volley into the Fort.

I was able to get onto the Battlefield for the re-enactment of the Battle of Chippiwa, and often found myself in the middle of the line of fire. I had to be pretty quick on my feet, and lugging a D300 with my 70-200mm f/2.8 lens around made it difficult, all while wearing period clothes.

In the Line
Glengarry Light Infantry

As Dusk comes, it makes capturing the explosions from the muskets is easier, however I had to once again reach into the high ISO settings on my camera.

The British Line
The British send hot lead screaming across the field of Battle.

I was also very happy to have a camera and lens that are fully weather sealed, as the rain started to come down, I could shoot without worrying about my equipment…too much. Events like this are very hard on your camera, but that’s why I paid for the top quality equipment so that I could drag my camera out into the battle field, even if it was a fake battlefield.

And before I leave, just this one awesome shot that I caught during the night battle:
Ewan Leads the Charge

If you want to see all my photos of the event you can view them here: www.flickr.com/photos/axle81401/sets/72157621992580652/