Civil War Photography

[Grey Ghost]

We have a couple of guys that come out to reenactments and do original type tintypes and glass plate images. I have a couple of them. It is fascinating to watch how early photography was done. All the chemicals involved, don't smile, don't move, don't blink, etc...during the long exposure. Photography was still in its infancy during the war. But, had reached the level were a soldier could go into a studio and have his image struck to send back home. I have some original Carte de Vista's which are about the size of a business card and were pretty inexpensive back then. Original glass plate and tintypes can go for many thousands of dollars depending on subject, size, atmosphere, etc...Many thousands of CW glass plate pictures were used just after the war for greenhouses, window panes, etc...just for the glass. The subject faded away in the exposure to sun and the elements. Makes you wonder what was lost on them...

One at work this year and cool yt video of the process.

Making a Tintype - YouTube

[ft laud mike]

Very cool stuff

[Yamma]

Super cool - thanks for posting that!

[Milton Fox]

Awesome, thanks for sharing...dont recall that I have every read or heard about drying the plate over a flame nor the last "tinting" process part. Also wondering how someone developed that process over time.

[Grey Ghost]

This is a great clip on early photography and the daguerreotype. I think the earliest or first photo was taken in 1839. Then, as described, several people started refining the process and lens. This is 12 minutes long, but shows the process in the latter part. Very interesting stuff that I would love to try...except buffing the plates I've spent enough time buffing paint to last me my life time.

Originally Posted by Milton Fox

Also wondering how someone developed that process over time.

Inventive Voices Podcast: Inventing Early Photography - YouTube

[78SA]

[Jobaka]

Among my late Aunt's effects was a tintype of my great-grandfather. I spent many hours in Photoshop trying to repair some of the 150 years worth of damage. I could easily spend many more hours working on it, but eventually you just have to say, "Enough already. It's good enough."

I understand that a picture of a member of the 7th Regiment New York is probably not the kind of civil war image someone from Georgia was hoping to see, but here it is anyway.

[Grey Ghost]

I love it. We actually portray a NY regiment when we wear blue at reenactments. I respect the soldiers on both sides of that war. Both sides were just as brave as the other. Both experienced similar hardships. Both believed in what they were fighting for. Do you have his military records ?

PS - my family has been in GA. for over 200 years. My GG-grandfather fought and died with a Confed. unit. I have total respect for the ones that wore blue or gray.

I found this CDV of a Union soldier at an estate sale a few years back.

Originally Posted by Jobaka

I understand that a picture of a member of the 7th Regiment New York is probably not the kind of civil war image someone from Georgia was hoping to see, but here it is anyway.

[Jobaka]

Originally Posted by Grey Ghost

We actually portray a NY regiment when we wear blue at reenactments.

Wow. What a coincidence. Small world.

Originally Posted by Grey Ghost

Do you have his military records ?

I don't even know the man's first name. I have some family history written down somewhere, but it's status is currently "misplaced."
However, I remain confident that it will turn up. Eventually.

[OddBall]

[Bucwheat]

WOW! Love this stuff.