Battle reenactments provide the Holga photographer a chance to capture a bit of history through the eye of a plastic lens. Flashback brings his trusty Holga to the field of battle and clicks through classic scenes from American history.
Growing up in the Southeastern part of the United States, I’ve been surrounded by many historical sites and battlegrounds that play a part in our history and landscape of the country. I remember at age 8 experiencing the thrill of a battle reenactment. The crackle of gunfire, booming canons, grown men and women playing soldiers for the day. It was a thrill and seemed like the real thing. Now, many years later, I have found that same experience, by trying to bring a certain authentic feel through the nuances of a Holga.
A typical American Civil War reenactment allows a world of photo opportunities. From the battlefields and soldiers, to the merchants who sell period-style goods. Even the quirky spectators make for interesting subject matter. Many of these events allow you to photograph the soldiers camps, blacksmith, field hospitals and any number of living history demonstrations.
The Holga makes the perfect camera for giving this 19th century event a bit of authenticity with my prints. The quirky and unpredictable nature of the Holga paired with the vignetting and dreamy blurs can give you some of the same characteristics of the cameras from that period.
If you’ve never been to a reenactment, the best place to start is to contact any one of the National Battlefields or state historical sites for event information. Another good place to search for events is on the Civil War Traveler website. So grab your Holga, a few rolls of film and head out to make a little history.
23 comments
panelomo
epic!
dux_x
epic [2] // It´s like timetravel!
jeabzz
this is great !
vtayeh
Nice location/camera combo :-) I love the light leaks! Your shots are beautiful!
paramir
great images!
plyshbel
Great!
O, I wish I was in Dixie!
Hooray! Hooray!
In Dixie Land I'll take my stand
To live and die in Dixie!
vicuna
Wow!! Very impressing!! Great analogue lifestyle entry! Looks really like time travelling in the past and you're right, the Holga is the best cam for this specially with the Ilford XP2 film and his sepia tones.... Makes me think at all the historical archives of Civil War photographs....
www.archives.gov/res(…)war/photos/
graefin
Wow, the B/W shots feel real!
Great pictures especially because of the Holga look. Love it.
ipdegirl
Love it! You're right--the Holga does give it the authenticity. I've never timed my visits to a re-enactment well, but I'm hoping to this summer at a local WWII Fort. Great subject, great shots!
airin
Fantastic shots, I love them!
dogma
Amazing gallery!
dogma
Amazing gallery!
mgf
amazazing! :D
fancholland2
Supercool! A DIANA at Gettysburg!
fancholland2
Holga oups
leocardarelli
Gorgeous!!!
sthomas68
I really love this!!! Great job!
neja
wow looks so real!
middernachtlopper
Stunning galleries!
flashback
thanks everyone for all the positive comments!
-a-l-b-e-r-t-o-
fucking amazing gallery
bearsark
The event and the camera really lend each other's strengths for a wonderful gallery, nice!
bsdunek
I spent 20 years in a Civil War Renactment band - 1975-1995. Wish I'd had my Holga then.