Period (correct) military images.

[James Hunt]

I am not a GAF member, know very little military stuff. But I thought you guy's would enjoy these images created by Greg Schultz, his wet plate skills are astounding, and these are the result of a Saturday at my place. The weapons and swords are original to the period.

CW Cav. Army of the Potomac



Circa 1880's Cav



Army of Tennessee



Army of Northern Virginia



Northern Virginia Cav (look closely at that saber - yep an original enfield)



Hope you liked them. Unfortunately, three horses looked on and the only McClellan I own is a 1904!!! What I wouldn't have given for an 1859 that day.

[River City John]

Excellent images! And you've captured, through the pose, the essence of regional personality in each one.
My favorite is the Army of Northern Virginia image.

You and Brass are having too much fun. Could you give some examples of exposure times on these?


And since you mentioned it, why aren't you and Brass members of GAF? It's obvious your interests are in the Victorian military.
No membership fees, and hardly any drilling . . .

RCJ

[Pitspitr]

WOW! The one you have labeled 1880's cavalry could be Frederic Benteen!

Do you suppose we could get Greg to attend a Muster?

['Monterrey' Jack Brass]

RCJ – Thanks for the kind words though there isn't really any artistry of which I'm capable. Exposure times ranged throughout the day depending on light conditions and what lens I was using. Photographs from my 1870s Darlot field lens require a bit more exposure time than my late 1850s Holmes, Booth & Hayden portrait lens. The photos the good Mr Hunt posted above were all from the Darlot lens and ranged from a 5 to 12 second exposure, those in direct sunlight taking less time, those in diffused/overcast light taking more. Surely it was a great time at the Hunt residence, as always, and hopefully he'll post the photographs of the buffalo camp he set up in his back yard, though on a different CAS City board as they're not military in nature. Also, if you haven't seen the photo of his daughter in period riding habit - posted to the NCOWS board in the old west photograph archive by Shotgun Steve - check it out as Miss Hunt's picture came out pretty decent.

Pitspitr – I don't plan on going to events to make pictures, wetplate photography is just a hobby for me and I do it for fun when I have time. Were I to come to a muster I'd want to camp and do some shooting (guns, not the big camera) with all the assembled pards and have a fun time. However, there are a bunch of guys I know of that do wetplate photography for a living who might be interested in coming just to make period pictures. Perhaps an option for next year is to invite one of my ACW pards to a muster to make period photographs for you guys. This pard has seen my setup and how I use it and he's putting together his own period photographer's impression. His intent is to do wetplate photography as a side business and would likely be interested in supporting a GAF shoot. We'll see how his efforts turn out. If he's up and running and making good & consistent photographs he might be keen to come out to a GAF muster with a period wetplate photography set up. I'll keep you posted.

Brass

[Pitspitr]

Well then by all means join us and do some camping and burn some powder! We'd love to have you.

['Monterrey' Jack Brass]

Pitspitr - I'd like to come out at some point for a GAF shoot: I'd miss most of the targets with my .50-70 Springfield, set up my campaigner camp as an 1870/71 Indian Wars era infantryman, and surely have a blast doing both. Would be very cool indeed! As with everything these days availability is the issue. Has been hard to get out to NCOWS stuff this year, and even local stuff for that matter, though hopefully next year will be better for the work schedule & related travel.

Brass

[Pitspitr]

MJB What's your 10-20? There are are some guys guys to the east who are looking to car pool to the Dept. of MO muster next summer. We'd love to have you.

[Delmonico]

Get em on out here, they need to come out and shoot in the real west.