152 and Still Kickin'

Recently I have become very intrigued with the history of photography, and researching has led to some pleasant and inspiring surprises. A group of artists collectively created an enormous body of work while becoming the pioneers of photojournalism, the photographers of the Civil War.

 Some of these men’s names are recorded (Mathew Brady, Alexander Gardner, T.C. Roche), and many others were never given credit for their work. As photography was only about 20 years old when the war started in 1861, it was the first major event in history to be photographically documented. And these guys went to town with it. Photographing battles and developing the negatives in a darkroom wagon before the image faded. Looking at these old pictures and seeing the emotion and atmosphere they captured, with 3 second exposures and wet chemical plates, makes me wonder: “what excuse do I have?”

In this modern age, we have DSLRs, SLRs, smartphones, even cameras that capture near-3D images; we have the ability to take a photo and see it immediately. Everything I need to create amazing shots is now near instant. The only thing most of us lack is the motivation to do what it takes for THE shot.

“Man, it’s too hot for that…” “It’ll be there tomorrow, probably better too,”

Nope. Lies. It won’t be there!

Go! Get it! 

Happy weekend you guys,

-Friday