Photography within the this hobby, is perhaps for me one of the most exciting aspects it has to offer, as the camera picks up every tiny detail, it shows the viewer, just what exactly is happening on and around the subject, it also creates an ambience that can be set to look like period of history it displays. Perhaps I'm going a little too in-depth with my thinking here, however just ask any photographer on the circuit today, and they will very quickly explain to you their style of photography and that inspired me. So much so that I purchased an entry level Canon 450D, the spec if you have time to read the manuals, is pretty impressive and it has enough mega pixels to get you a good picture. The tough part is working our how to use it, when not switched in full auto mode, it was at this point I thought I would ask the advice of, well every photographer that I bumped into this year.
My respect for these fine fellows, (that includes the girls too!) trebled in an instant, just how do they have a great eye for shots? Like many, I took loads of pictures on my phone, and compact camera for years, without a care in the world. The computer chips on board, did all the work and well you get a great picture most of the time. We are bombarded with by the advertising companies, that we should take hundreds of pictures and share everything on the social feeds available to us. I'm starting, to not believe this theory, I don't know about you, but wading through hundreds of images, although appealing, does sap the energy cells and when you do view a potentialy great image, your eyes are so burnt from seeing the same shot at a hundred different angles, that you have already switched of the pc and are out walking your dog. (Shot above Phil Royal). The professional photographer, will choose their moment before wildly firing off a hundered shots on a subject.
When I take up a new hobby, I do like to go at it like a mad dog in a chicken coop, I research asking everything I can on the subject, sitting up until the small hours of the morning surfing everything in my path associated with what it is that has got me going and then search finding the right price. Its all about the equipment, however this is not the best path to take. After I walked out of my local Jessops photography store, being very chuffed at haggling and getting a below advertised price for my goods, although I think the extras I purchased, kind of outweighed this theory. I ripped open all my kit and plugged it in, drove at top speed to a WWII show and started snapping. (image right ,Stuart Gould)
Racing home again, eagerly jamming the USB card into my laptop, I thought I had won the lottery, the images I thought for the amount of money I had spent on the equipment would ensure success. It took me a good few days, to recover from the result, I think I had two good images, in about 500. I had to seriosuly re-think how I approached photography. (Image below, Tony Nylons, model Fleur De Guerr.)
Unfortunately the two good images I did get, spured me on to learn more, and now I am trying varying different styles, lighting effects, photoshop (great for my less able shots) and spending ever increasing hours on capturing the best shot I can for the magazine. What I do know is that if you want to see some great images, then click through the links below. I have had the pleasure in bumping into some of the best photographers on the circuit, I can't include everyone and sorry to those of you I know, that I havn't included in this article. My favourites have to be Nick Halling, Stuart Gould, Phil Royal and Tony Nylons as they perhaps for capture every essence that this hobby has to offer. With varying styles between them and a keen eye for detail. Each of them has a uniqueness about their work, and its this style that promotes this hobby in every aspect, from tanks to pin ups, gun flares to full on battle re-enactments. I suppose what I'm badly trying to say is that next time a lens is pointed in your direction when you're displaying your finest uniform, or posing with your military vehicle, just hope it is one of our very own papparazzi. As without them, we would truly lose a vital element of our hobby.
What we can do though, is to pick up a camera, and have a go, as I can say through all my frustrations and failures, image after image, it does start to get a little easier, I do find taking photos, somehow helped me also get a closer view of what we do in re-enactment, and best of all its a great conversation starter, asking your fellow re-enactor just when they purchased that smock, or hand bag or simply chewing the 'cud' and having a good ole gossip, does give you a great insight into this world. (Image opposite, Nick Halling.)
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