Photography and the Civil War

        The Civil War was a big moment in American Society and many photographers captured it. Popular photographers during the Civil War era were, Matthew Brady, Alexander Gardner, and Timothy O'Sullivan. Brady asked President Lincoln to follow the Union militia to a battlefield in what was defined as a "short and glorious war;" however in the first cries of the battle, Brady had already lost his wagon and equipment. Instead he organized a corps of field photographers who made the first extended photographic coverage of the war. Photography in the Civil War was time consuming and difficult. Photographers had to carry all there equipment to the battlefields, including their dark room wagons and they had to process their photos by the careful and long method of wet-plates and especially the hard part was making cumbersome-light sensitive images in cramped wagons. Since the battlefields were too dangerous for the wet paint procedures, photo shooting was mainly done in rare occasions, like camp scenes, planning, and the aftermath of the battle. Even though there was a lot of hassle in getting the photos ready, the results astounded americans and they were widespread across the nation. They began to be displayed in various sizes as well. Through the lively photos many Americans got a feel of the Civil War.

Brady Photography Wagon.Photograph. n.d.Brady Photo Collection
Explore PA History.Web.05 Jan. 14.