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A Project Within A Project

So, a new project has been born within my current War Was Here project.  It is something I can do in parallel and shoot all the images for both projects at the same time.  The new mini project is going to be a portrait series.  I made a portrait at the Resaca Reenactment that really resonated with me and I have decided to make all the portraits in a similar style.  The subject was standing with his back to the wall of a white canvas tent.  I was able to “blowout” the white background and ended up with a sort of modern look that seems to work well with the juxtaposition of the period attire.  The portraits will all be of reenactors, both military and civilian.  I have acquired a portable backdrop and will use it along with my speedlights to recreate these portraits.  I will have to travel light since I will be on foot and away from the car at most reenactments.  I still don’t have a title for the side project, but I am sure it will come to me in time.  Below is the portrait that I made at Resaca.  All the rest will be styled after this one.  I can not decide which one I like better, but eventually the images will let me know.  I usually lean more toward black and white, but for some reason I like the color one.  Must be the contrast with the black and white image he is hold in his hands.  Or the blue coat.

Where will I be?

I have been asked, by some of my new friends and some of the reenactors I have met, to post what events I will be photographing next for my project.  I will be photographing much more than just these events though, as my project is to cover as much about the Atlanta Campaign and The March to the Sea as possible.  Below is a list of events I will be at in the near future.  I have added a page to my site to list the events I will be attending.  Here a is short list for the near future.

June 14th:  Memorial service on Pine Mountain for Bishop-General Leonidas Polk.  The closest address is 1436 Beaumont Dr.  NW.  Kennesaw, Ga.  30152.  The event begins at 10:30.  I will most likely be there by 9 to take pictures of any reenactors there as well as the earthworks at the site.

June 14th:  150th Anniversary Commemoration, Life of Lieutenant General Leonidas Polk!
The Kirk House, 1888 Burnt Hickory Rd. NW Marietta, Ga.  30064.  This is the location of Polk’s last headquarters.  The event will feature reenactors, artillery demonstrations and special guest from the past.

June 20th – 22nd:  Sherman at the Gates, reenactor encampment on the Marietta Square.  I will probably be there Friday and maybe Saturday.  Check here for details:  www.MariettaCivilWar.com

June 26th – 29th:  Kennesaw Mountain 150th Event.  This will be at many different location through out the park.  I will be there each day, trying to cover the different activities and events at all the different locations.  If you are a reenactor and want a portrait or would like images for your unit.  Contact me through my site and I will arrange to meet you at a specific place and time. 
                  
July 12th – 13th:  Federal Occupation of Roswell.  I will be here both days as the reenact the arrest of the Mill Workers.  Here is a link:  http://www.roswellgov.com/DocumentCenter/View/6337

150 Years Ago Today: June 11th, 1864

June 11th, 1864
     Both armies have endured nine straight days of rain.  It slows down General Sherman’s advance to a snail like pace as the wagons are mired down in the mud.  General Johnston’s troops are nearly swimming in their trenches. 
     On this day, Sherman’s armies have located the Confederate line about two miles south of Big Shanty.  It stretches from Brushy Mountain on the Confederate right, across the Western & Atlantic Railroad, all the way to Lost Mountain on the Confederate left.  The line is 10 miles long and is stretched pretty thin.  The Confederate Army has also fortified Pine Mountain, which sits in advance of the main line at roughly the center. 
     The railroad bridge over the Etowah River has been repaired and the first train, a railroad repair train, pulls into Big Shanty.  This is welcome news to General Sherman, his supply line is now up and running and he will no longer be so dependent on wagon trains traveling muddy roads for his supplies.

150 Years Ago Today: June 9th, 1864

June 9th, 1864
     General Sherman is informed by Colonel Wright, head of the Railroad Construction and Repair Corps, that the bridge over the Etowah will be completed and operational by June 12.  Upon hearing this, Sherman orders Generals McPherson, Thomas, and Schofield to begin moving forward the next morning and begin to find the Confederate positions.

150 Years Ago Today: June 8th, 1864

June 8th, 1864
    General Sherman receives welcome reinforcements in the form of the XVII Corp, commanded by Major General Francis Blair.  They have traveled from Illinois and have arrived at the front with 9,000 additional soldiers, after leaving 2,000 to garrison Rome, Ga. and 1,500 at Allatoona Pass.

150 Years Ago Today: June 6th, 1864

June 6th, 1864
     General McPherson, with his Army of the Tennessee, established a line just south of Acworth at Proctors Creek.  General Sherman joins him there.  It has been one month since the start of the campaign.  Massive amounts of men and material have been moved a great many miles over the last month.  The Union Army now controls the railroad from Acworth on up to Chattanooga and beyond.  As soon as the bridge over the Etowah is repaired, the flow of desperately needed supplies will resume. 

150 Years Ago Today: June 5th, 1864

June 5th, 1864
    The Southern soldiers are settling into their new earthworks along the Lost Mountain Line,  Sherman’s soldiers are continuing toward Acworth and their life line, the railroad.
    

Photography days 8,9 and 10 are done

I have finished days 8 and 9 of photography for my project.  Last Saturday was day 9 and I spent the day at Pickett’s Mill and photographed the reenactment.  It was a great reenactment and came home with some really great images.  I have already had the image of the cannons firing made into an 11 x 14 print.  It looks great, can not wait to frame it.

I finished up day 10 today.  I took the boys with me back out to Pickett’s Mill, where I made images of the Federal Lines and Battery.  We had a nice hike and the rain held off for us.  I also worked my way back down County Line Rd. and made a few images of where the lines extended toward Acworth. 

150 Years Ago Today: June 4th, 1864

June 4th, 1864
     The Confederate forces are moving toward their prepared lines that stretch from Lost Mountain to the railroad just south of Big Shanty.  Once General Sherman learns of General Johnston’s retreat from the Dallas – New Hope line, he orders General McPherson to move from New Hope Church toward Acworth.  In most places along the line, the Federal troops never hear or see the Southern soldiers leave.  They wake up to a deserted battlefield after the Confederates leave under the cover of darkness.

150 Years Ago Today: Along the Dallas – New Hope – Pickett’s Mill line

June 3, 1864
    General Schofield advances to the crossroads at the Allatoona Church, the current intersection of Hwy 92, Dallas – Acworth Hwy, and Cedarcrest Rd.  His lead division moves slowly for fear of Confederate attack and being separated from the main body of the Federal army.  They take the entire day to advance and when they reach the crossroads, they discover the Confederates are gone.  General Sherman’s route to Acworth and the railroad now stands unopposed. 
     General Johnston issues orders to the Confederate army to fall back from the main line and move to the newly prepared lines the stretch from the railroad south of Big Shanty, west to Lost Mountain.