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"A Moment of Silence"



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Union soldier takes a knee while advancing at the "Battle of Pigeon's Roost" in Mercer County, West Virginia.

Union soldier takes a knee while advancing at the "Battle of Pigeon's Roost" in Mercer County, West Virginia.
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upload_dateFeb, 2015

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5 Comments |
eozphotography
 
eozphotography February 25, 2015
Love this!
DorisSeybold
 
DorisSeybold March 08, 2015
Top shot, great edit!
paulcarew
 
paulcarew March 14, 2015
Can smell the gunpowder… very nice image!
guybahonsrichardson
 
guybahonsrichardson March 25, 2015
Outstanding, emotional, makes you stare at it.. perfect! One of my favorite shots on here.
WVHillbilly
 
WVHillbilly March 25, 2015
Thank you so much...means a lot to me..

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Behind The Lens

Location

This photo was taken at the "Battle of Pigeon's Roost" re-enactment at the 4-H Camp in Princeton, West Virginia.

Time

I remember it being about 2:30 pm. The festival had been going all morning and the battle started at 2:00 pm. The had been firing the cannon for about 15 minutes pinning down the Confederate solders to allow the Infantry to advance while in open field. This soldier here took a knee to reload while the cannons were firing over head.

Lighting

The skies were overcast that morning and had been raining off and on that day. During the beginning of the battle the skies started to clear and break through the clouds. All of the smoke from the cannon and musket fire played a huge role.

Equipment

This shot was captured by a Nikon 3100, using a 200mm lens. No other equipment was used.

Inspiration

This photo was inspired by all of the men that participated in the re-enactment. I personally knew some these reenactment soldiers. This particular shot was envisioned when he took a knee. During this moment the cannons were firing, Confederate soldiers were returning fire, the Union Infantry was advancing, and during all of this, this soldier takes a knee and bows his head. During that brief pause, before he started to reload, A lifetime could have passed through his mind.

Editing

I am an amateur, so my edits are very basic. I used HDR Darkroom to intensify the details. The main effect that I thought that brought it all together was to make it black and white. By making it black and white, I felt it brought out the raw of power of what was happening.

In my camera bag

Once again being a beginner, I basically only carry my Nikon 3100 with my 18-55mm and my 55-200mm lens. I have recently purchased a 70-300mm lens, but I have not had the opportunity to use it yet.

Feedback

I was given some advice by a local photographer that I have nothing but respect for and I think it would a good opportunity to pass it along to all of you. She told me to notice what everyone else does, but to recognize the little things that no one else does. During this shot a lot of things were happening all of over a field that was approximately 100 yards long. You had cannon and musket fire, Calvary, Artillery, and Infantry all on the same simulated battlefield. I guess what I am trying to say would be, not to get overwhelmed by the big picture and to try to find your little detail that truly makes it your own.

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