Vote For the May Cover of the AC

[Eric Tipton]

Greetings:

It is time to vote for the May Cover of the Authentic Campaigner. Please vote for the image that you feel is the most authentic. If your image is one of the final three, we are requiring that you provide some background information about the inspiration or impression for the image in this thread.

We encourage conversation about the impressions portrayed as well as any documentation that might be available that would add to the discussion. The intent of the selection process is to determine why you think one image is superior to another.

Image #1 - Click here to view.
Image #2 - Click here to view.
Image #3 - Click here to view.

Thanks to everyone who submitted. Good luck to the finalists.

This poll will close in four days.

[DougCooper]

Tough choice between 2 and 3. In the end I chose 2 because the quality of the image is excellent.

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

Image #3 is in front of a magazine at Ft McAllister and is by Wendell Decker. The men are (from the left ) Matt Overton, Joe Frutchey, Gary Graffweg, Hal Merritt, Ross Lamoreaux, and Jason Rich. It was inspired by a series of images taken at the fort immediately after its capture during Sherman's march to the sea.

[Coatsy]

Gents, Ross beat me to the punch, but I wanted to post a few links to the Ft. McAllister photos that Ross was talking about. Yeah I am for image 3.

http://www.americancivilwar.com/pictures/ogocchee.jpg

http://www.cherokeerose.com/Looting_McAllister.jpg

http://www.clanmcalister.org/images/ftmcallister7.jpg

http://www.clanmcalister.org/images/ftmcallister3.jpg

[ohpkirk]

"If your image is one of the final three, we are requiring that you provide some background information about the inspiration or impression for the image in this thread. "

This image was taken in Mansfield, Louisiana in January 2005 during a winter's quarters living history. The image itself shows the varied low key tasks that go on between drill, eating, and more drill.

While there is no central focus in this photograph, it does show many elements that are present in period static camp photos. One of the elements is the men in and around not acknowledging the photographer and continuing conversation, cooking, etc. One period photograph that comes to mind that elaborates on this point is the photo of the Kentucky State Guard encamped in Louisville during the state fair. Men are lounging around their structures between drill, some are deep in conversation, and some seem to be nearly asleep.

While not 'posed' as are many of the photos that have been submitted to the vote, this photo was taken in the effort to provide the impression that while photography was still relatively new, the luster had worn off with these soldiers and with the travelling photographer's of the day, such as Brady, taking as many photographs as they did and being around the armies everyday many of the soldiers went on with their duties while the snapshot into camp life was taken.

[FlatLandFed]

Wow, having just been to Fort McAllister in late December, it's great to get the perspective of period photography. Thanks for shariing.
Paul Hadley

[Kace]

It was tough choice between #2 & #3. Both give the viewer a glimps into the past. I really think #3 had more details that came out the longer you looked at it: boxes, barrels, knapsacks etc. The only thing that really said to me that this was a new image was the grass growing on the magazine.

Kace

[billyreb61]

I agree that is was a very hard choice between # 2 & #3. I however have to go with #2. It's a very unique image, one that isn't common and seen over and over.

[Eric Tipton]

Congratulations to Ross L. Lamoreaux for submitting this month's runaway winner - Fort McAllister. I will be posting the image on the front page shortly.

Thank you to all those who submitted this month. Next month, we will again ask for images that have not been submitted within the last six months. We will also accept any period technology - e.g. sketches and drawings.

This thread is officially closed.