The Gift of Reenactment.....

by Deanna

I had a most delightful weekend this past Saturday and Sunday.  I had been asked to photograph the Civil War Days at Naper Settlement in my home town of Naperville, IL.  Even if the invitation had not been extended I would have attended just for the fun of photographing reenactors in action.  A reenactor is defined as one who participates in reenactments of historical events. Now you know. Being a "staff photographer" (how much fun is that??!!) I was able to wander the grounds and capture as many faces, costumes, and battlefield scenes from the Civil War to my heart's content.  I will pre-warn you, this post is heavily loaded with pictures.  Umm, probably should not use the term heavily loaded during this time of unrest in our country during the 1860's, nor should I use the term, "I want a shot of you."  I made that mistake while walking with President Abe Lincoln as he firmly reminded me "do not use the term shot or shoot." (all in fun)

Naper Settlement is transformed into a Civil War encampment where visitors can meet famous figures of the past and experience firsthand a turbulent time period in our nation’s history. Hundreds of reenactors participate, staging a battle complete with raging cannons and marching infantry. 

Below President Lincoln and Jefferson Davis (the President of the Confederate States during the Civil War 1861-1865) bantering on the porch.

Lincoln this time with Harriet Tubman (you will see her shortly on the new $20 bills.

The authenticity of the clothing, hats, belts, shoes, and even eye glasses were true to the times.  One gentleman told me he bought the original 1860's glasses and then had his optometrist place his prescription in them.  They don't skimp on any details. The men all seemed to have beards and/or long hair.

Don't you love the old pipe??

I just love taking pictures of people who are unaware that they are being photographed.  This experience was akin to street photography but the reenactors were quite cognizant that they were being shot.....oh no, I used that no no word.

Ulysses S. Grant posed for me.  Being a Union military hero during the Civil War and then serving 2 terms as President of the United States he most certainly deserves a regal pose (cigar and all).

There were women in their long dresses and bonnets.

Couples dressed in their finery....

And this dandy with his top hat, cigar, weskit (that might be just a hair too tight) and a pocket watch.

There were even children wearing their cute frocks with pinafores.

The soldiers....all wearing wool jackets and pants (temps were warm, sweat was dripping).

And then the battle, you didn't know who would win this skirmish, entitled the Battle of Naperville until the very end.  It appeared the Union was winning, but then the Confederates made a bold move forward to victory.

What a difficult time this was in the history of the US.  An estimated 620,000 men were casualties during the Civil War, neighbor against neighbor, brother against brother.  These dedicated reenactors keep this part of history alive, calling on us to remember this tragic and desperate time.

People, I Need People....

by Deanna

Well, golly, I just returned last Saturday from an absolutely wonderful, marvelous, trip to Paris, France.  I was there for six days and believe me that was not nearly enough time to see all that I wanted to see, or to do all that I wanted to do.  However, the body said no more.  We walked, walked, and walked some more and not at a leisurely pace, I might add. First the knees hurt, then the back of my calves started screaming, and finally the hips just down right yelled at me.  I kept telling myself to get in shape prior to this trip, but did I listen....obviously no.  Anyhoo, I have a mere 1,000 plus photos on my DSLR not counting all the I-Phone snaps I took, so no telling how long it will take me to go thru them all.  But instead of showing you images of the eye-popping buildings, monuments and churches, I decided to show you a little "street" photography.  Again, I did not capture nearly enough, but you will get a taste of the people of Paris.  

Street photography is defined as photography that features the human condition within public places.
Eugene Atget, coincidently, a Parisian, is regarded as the father of the genre, not because he was the first of his kind, but because of his popularity as a Parisian photographer.  As the city developed, Atget helped to promote the city streets as a worthy subject for photography. He worked in the city of Paris from the 1890s to the 1920s. His subject matter consisted mainly of architecture: stairs, gardens and windows. He did photograph some workers but people were not his main focus.

There have been disagreements over the legalities of taking pictures of people in public places without their consent, however in both the USA and France taking photographs in public places without permission is legal and is considered part of the 1st Amendment in the US. In France it has been decreed that street photography without the consent of the subject is an important freedom in democracy. 

Many photographers are uncomfortable taking pictures of people without their consent. I find it rather fascinating and when I can capture moments like these I am thrilled.  The two images above were French citizens watching my daughter's dancers perform in a local park. Look at their smiles.

These two were sitting along the Seine as we passed by on a riverboat tour. Not exactly the image I wanted to capture of a red umbrella in the rain in Paris, but it is red, and it is an umbrella. 

Hats were very in "vogue" in Paris....

This is my favorite, not as clear as I would like, but look at the character in that face.

All dressed up in her pearls and fancy hat sitting in the Luxembourg Garden.  Not sure if she was reading or taking a little snooze. 

Lovers in the Luxembourg...

Walking the streets of Paris you can find just about any kind of street performer.  Ready to have their picture taken with you, but expecting compensation in the form of Euros for the deed.

Obviously a brother and sister, thinking they may be twins??

I don't think he is from Paris. The shirt is a dead giveaway....the right colors, wrong country. 

What do you suppose this conversation is about?

The perfect traveler, skates for transportation, camera ready, map and purse in hand, fit bit counting her steps, water bottle for hydration, and a light back-pack.  She is standing right by the Metro Station, wonder how she rides the Metro with skates? 

And since Eugene Atget, the father of this genre called "street photography", never took pictures of people but focused on architecture: stairs, gardens and windows....here is one in his honor...

Au revoir...