A battle in Battle, a photo from East Sussex, England

Photographer's Note

The re-enactment of a Napoleonic War battle in the grounds of Battle Abbey, East Sussex by the Napoleonic Association. Since its formation in 1975, the Napoleonic Association has acted as an umbrella organisation that supports people with a common interest in the Napoleonic period, spanning the French Revolution to the decisive action at the Battle of Waterloo (1793-1815). Their re-enactors bring the period to life with detailed living history encampments and dramatic battles. My son was intrigued by all this when a smally boy, so we took him along. It was grown-ups playing with guns and dressing up. But it made for some different pictures.

abmdsudi, Subhogen, trevormoffiet, jhm, adores has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

tenretin (3275) 2014-01-11 11:14

Hello,
Your photo captures the spirit.
It is well framed and well composed. treatment B / W makes sense.
Well done!.
Sincerely,
Jean Philippe

abmdsudi (95869) 2014-01-11 21:16

Hi Will
A nicely composed image it looks as if this could have been taken at the actual battle ground, a reenactment and the actors are brilliant with plenty going on to look at. Musket shots and cannon fire using black powder produce 'the fog of war' , love the atmosphere. I like the tonal contrast, it gives it an old feel and it goes well with the subject. Looks like a fun learning day, an excellent arrangement, one of the best I've seen recently. The name Waterloo is also very nostalgic it reminds me of my younger days - my play ground in the 50s - Waterloo Street in Singapore. Great shot and thanks for sharing. Well done
Best regards

emka (158936) 2014-01-11 23:46

hello Will, Wow, it must be great for history lovers to see such battle scene live. Nice picture in black and white but i am sure in colours it would be great too, earlier the uniforms were attractive colourful. Amazing, I like it very much.

Warm regrads Malgo

CLODO (45118) 2014-01-12 4:10

hi Will

"messieurs les anglais, tirez les premiers!"
Good to be back in the late 18th beginning of the 19th century, right in the middle of the battle, to report us what happended and how. The B&W treatment is absolutly necessary to make us think we are part of this living fight, as a youtube post!
Cheers
CLODO

dekanski (9431) 2014-01-12 4:40

An interesting photo!

Although I do not understand people's need to play "war games", especially do not understand why they spend so much money (which, I am sure, can be much better spent), I have to admit that the image looks like it was made by a war photographer in the early 19th century!

Regards

Sa啾

rigoletto (34279) 2014-01-12 5:29

hi will. i can almost smell the gunpowder and feel like shutting my ears to the wild booms. it looks like a movie scene, good theatratical effort and idea to present it in b&w (though it would also be nice to see them in red uniforms)

No_One (4) 2014-01-12 6:35

Hi Will,
Like Deniz and Malgo, I wonder what the colors are like, but I know its not possible. Nonetheless, the black and white is actually how I would expect to see a scene like this, it suits the moment they are recreating well, and the capture at this precise moment of the plumes of smoke adds a great level of authenticity to the whole thing. Very interesting post.
All the best
Noel

marabu61 (11587) 2014-01-12 13:02

Hello Will
Although I never understand the fascination of reenacting a ancient battle, they are fun to watch anyway.
Your black and white approach gives it an almost documentary value, as if you where a reporter at the actual battle. It really works for me.
have a great week
Daniel

Subhogen (4067) 2014-01-13 5:41

Hello Will,
A fantastic encore of history in B&W. I like the way the group receiving fire has almost been engulfed in plumes of smoke. I think B&W has enhanced the effect created by this thick smoke. Excellent photo from your archives.
Regards,
Subho

trevormoffiet (3112) 2014-01-13 16:31

Hello Will,
You have really captured the action here with all of that smoke emanating from those guns. When I see a digitally converted B&W I always try to analyse the 'colours' and how they appear in grey tone relative to each other due to the conversion process. Because this is a real B&W it will help with my interpretation of a converted image. I did pick that this was a film B&W before I read your replies to emka and rigoletto. Great shot.
Warm regards,
Trevor

mesutilgim (0) 2014-01-14 1:02

Hello Will,
Nice b&w capture of this revitalised historical effect.
Perfect TE entry enriched with many interesting notes.
TFS and best regards
MESUT ILGIM

jhm (211738) 2014-01-14 3:12

Hello Will,

Every year is in Waterloo Belgium also a Napoleonic War battle with a lot smoke.
Your black and white picture fits perfect out of these time.
As contrast picture get we absolutely a good image.
Excellent composition, nice captured.
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards,
John

subhendu_bagchi (26091) 2014-01-14 4:33

namaste, a nice presentation here. The subject is really interesting and you choose an interesting title for it. Nice black and white conversation. Nice composition. Tfs.
S

GyurMaster (25055) 2014-01-16 10:08

Friendly fire! Friendly fire! Looks like they are shooting their own brother-in-arms. :)
*
Dear Will,

It's an excellent capture from the scene. Both the compostion and the B&W treatment is thorough work. Congratulations!

Best Regards,
Gygy

wolf38 (30) 2014-01-18 9:05

Hi Will. What a spectacle. Fighting, shooting, - and at the same time preserve the tradition. Many people love these performances. Black White does the photo well, - you do not need color.
Rgds, Wolfgang.

tatadalou (7459) 2014-01-26 12:44

Hi Will,
Funny to see a place I'v yet visited with this napoleonic production ! That's quite anachronistic when we know when the famous battle of Hastings took place. The B&W conversion was a good idea.
Regards,
Delphine

adores (46979) 2014-01-27 17:28

Hi Will!
I've see something very similar here, in Bu軋co, where a Napoleonic battle took place. I like this composition with all that smoke coming out from the guns - looks so real! It's a very good scene and the b&W makes it look like a very old picture.