2012 – What’s Up and Coming for Alex Luyckx | Photography

Posted on December 31, 2011 by Alex

Well we’re coming up to the end of 2011, and what a year it has been, with the Project:52 winding down, the the last rolls sitting here on my desk waiting to be taken into the lab on Monday.

2012, big things for this year including 2 special projects. Sorry no Project:52 for 2012 (it may return for 2013), but 2012, big year indeed. The first project is about the War of 1812, 200 years ago between the United States of America and the British Empire. Titled “Everything Changes,” it will cover as much about the war of 1812 as I can possible get for you, my faithful readers. The project will be covered like many of my projects entirely on film, again using multiple cameras and film stocks. I’ll go and visit the various forts around Ontario and up-state New York and even Ohio (if I can). With my involvement with the 60th Royal American Regiment of Foot, I’ll have a front line seat (often fighting) in the reenactment battles such as the Seige of Fort Erie and new for 2012, the Battle of Queenston Heights…even a visit to Washington DC in in the plans for the project.

The Second Project for 2012 is about Doors Open events through Ontario, where I’ll take you on a tour of locations that often are closed to the public, again working with film, mostly medium format to give you a fresh look on places you may have never had a chance to see before!

Onwards we go!

Project:52 – Week 36

Posted on September 19, 2011 by Alex

I have seen the grand Fort Niagara from across the river in Niagara-On-The-Lake so I finally took time to go and see the oldest fort in the area. The fort and the people there made the two hour border wait worth it!

The history of the site started back in 1678 when the French established their first fort. The current construction is a mixed bag of French buildings from 1688 to 1759, British who took the Fort from the French in a siege in 1759. The British were forced to hand over the fort to the United States at the end of the Revolutionary War, only to take it back in 1813 during the War of 1812. The British again handed over the fort 1815 when the War was over. The Americans have maintained a military presence at the fort since. Most of the Army left the site in 1963 with the Coast Guard still maintain a presence.

Nikon F3 – AI-S Nikkor 50mm 1:1.4 – Kodak Portra 160

Project:52 – Week 32

Posted on August 22, 2011 by Alex

This was my fourth time attending the annual reenactment of the Siege of Fort Erie, it was probably one of the best I have been to yet! All the forces both Crown and US were in top shape this year, plus the sheer number of people watching and those marching was spectacular. Historically the events that lead up to the siege started on July 3rd 1814 when American Forces captured the fort from British Defenders. But it wasn’t until August 13th, 1814 that British forces under General Drummond opened fire. However it was his night attempt at taking back the fort that forced a failure. British Troops were able to make it into the Fort but when the powder magazine exploded they were forced to retreat. The Siege was lifted on September 16th, 1814 and American forces retreated from Fort Erie in November after demolishing most of the Fort. British forces returned but never rebuilt the fort abandoning it in 1821.

One of two blockhouses in the Fort.

The British Camp. For once I’d like to go to one of these events and get proper barrack space inside the fort.

My wonderful host unit, 7th/60th Regiment of Foot.

Some downtime.

The British Lines open up

The Americans!

I see what you did there.

Pentax 645 – SMC Pentax A 645 80-160mm 1:4.5 – Kodak Tri-X Pan (TXP)

Fort Erie 2011

Posted on August 17, 2011 by Alex

It’s that time of year again to reenact the battle and camp out at Canada’s Bloodiest battlefield. Both US and Crown Forces were in top shape this year! Featured this post is the Fighting 60th, or rather 7th Battalion 60th Royal American Regiment of Foot, No. 6 Company. The 7th Battalion was formed of mostly German POWs who had been forced to fight for Napoleon over in Europe, but rather than languish in jail the British formed them into a unit specializing in light infantry tactics. The 7th Battalion No. 6 Company wore the rifle green of a rifle unit, however they were armed with smooth bore musket (New Land Pattern Light Infantry Muskets), in the 7th Battalion only the No 1 and No 10 flank companies were armed with the Baker Rifle.

Historically the 7th/60th never fought at Fort Erie, they served mostly in Nova Scotia and in Maine during the War of 1812. But Erie is always a big event. And green is much sexier than red.

Celer et Audax

Project:52 – Week 22

Posted on June 13, 2011 by Alex

Back to the Siege for Week 22. It’s always fun carrying around classic or strange cameras it always makes for an interesting conversation piece especially when I’m out and around using it. These shots are mostly from around the fort and camps not of actual battles since a TLR takes a bit of effort to use and battles happen fairly fast, event during a war of 1812 reenactment. But despite the rain and mud I still brought it along and ran some HP5 through it to give that nice classic look.

The Saturday Morning Parade

Breakfast! Yes, some people even shy off modern conveniences and cook their food over an open fire.

One of the seven blockhouses along the Fort Meigs Wall.

Ewan enjoys a morning Pipe before the skirmish. This actually is my personal favourite shot from the TLR shots.

Another blockhouse. This one serving as the billet for the 41st Regiment of Foot. During the war the blockhouses were never used to house troops, they all slept in tents, while the blockhouses were dedicated solely to the defense of the fort.

A British Canon, one of two used for the weekend. This was a 9 pound field gun, but during the actual siege the British used massive 24 pound siege guns they captured at Detroit.

A friendly chess game.

Rolleiflex 2.8F – Carl Zeiss Planar 80mm 1:2.8 – Ilford HP5+

The First Siege of Fort Meigs

Posted on June 2, 2011 by Alex

May 5th 1813 the ground around Fort Meigs was mud, there was no way to keep our uniforms clean, but at least we kept our powder dry and muskets clean. Inside the wooden stockade walls that surrounded the fort we could make out giant traverses throughout the entire area. I caught word that an officers who had been returned after capture described the Americans as “an army of groundhogs” as they had dug holes into the traverses for shelter. Either way, those traverses will make it difficult for General Proctor to lay waste to the fort, and the mud won’t help either.

The fort’s stockade wall is only broken by seven blockhouses. These blockhouses were not for sheltering troops (they all slept in tents inside the walls), but rather they were guard towers, manned around the clock. Musket and Riflemen in the top floors, while a gun was mounted on the lower floor.

On the British side we had a battalion made up from various regiments such as the 60th Royal American, 41st of Foot, the Royal Scots, and members of the Royal Artillery to participate in the reenactment.

Light Infantry skirmishers take the field to harry the Americans.

Sergeant Newfield, the NCO in command of the 7th Battalion, 60th Regiment of Foot, No. 6 Company.

Even Skirmishers get to give fire in volley form.

It was rather boggy out on the field so it was helpful if you ‘died’ in a dryer location, or against the tree.

A ‘refugee’ column is ambushed by British and Native allied forces while leaving the fort, but manage to escape thanks to the valiant efforts of Kentucky Volunteers.

For the rest (and colour) photos of the event: Visit Flickr

Project:52 – Week 15

Posted on April 25, 2011 by Alex

Ever interested in joining the army? How about the British Army…circa 1812. Completed in 1802 when the British were forced to abandoned Fort Niagara across the river in accordance to the Jay Treaty of 1796, it became part of the defense of Upper Canada in the 19th Century. In 1813 the fort was captured by American forces who used it as a base to invade the rest of upper Canada, they were repulsed at Stoney Creek and Beaver Dams, the British were able to recapture the lost fort in December of 1813. During the First and Second World Wars the Fort was used as a training camp for the Canadian Army under the name Fort Niagara. During the unification of the forces in 1965 the fort was abandoned. Today the fort stands as it was in 1812 as a National Historic Site in Canada. The employees who occupy the fort are dressed as the 41st Regiment of Foot.

The Union Flag flies proud over the block houses.

Fort George has three blockhouses, these would provide both fortification and bunks space for the soldiers.

A small field artillery piece, these would be used against enemy troops.

Some reenactors.

The powder magazine is the only remaining original building from the fort.

The flag bastion and battery.

The large battery mounted canon were used to defend the fort against American ships crossing the Niagara River.

Nikon F3 – AI Nikkor 135mm 1:2.8 – Efke KB50

alex luyckx | blog

Explorer, Photographer, Wanderer

Tag Archives: War of 1812