The Battle of Aiken occurred on February 11, 1865 as Sherman made his way across South Carolina. The principal commanders were Union Maj. Gen. Hugh Judson Kilpatrick and Confederate Maj. Gen. Joseph Wheeler. Wheeler was able to score a minor victory over Kilpatrick. (Copied from Wikipedia.)
Needless to say, the battle is fought again every February. Lots of great fun. This was only our second time there but it gave me a good chance to use my new 60-250. I have had it since December but, outside of a quick trip to the zoo, haven't had a chance to try it out. I took these with the intention of converting them to sepia tones or B&W to maintain the feel of old battleground photos.
Strangely, there were a lot of women dressed up in both Confederate and Union uniforms riding horses and firing cannon.

[Rense]

Nice series, I especially like the first one! Make some cracks, and it's just an orignal...

[RGlasel]

You did a great job of giving these photos a patina of authenticity. Mind you, in 1865 a 1/320 second exposure wasn't possible, but on the other hand your photos look like stills from a movie. Only anachronisms I noticed was a couple pairs of eyeglasses with modern lenses in them and one machine rolled cigarette.

[wildman]

I took these with the intention of converting them to sepia tones or B&W to maintain the feel of old battleground photos.

As to authenticity...
...Just take my word for it, a modern field army at least, is just not that clean and well groomed.

Which, of of course, is not the fault of the photographer.

[slowpez]

Nice series, I especially like the first one! Make some cracks, and it's just an orignal...

Thanks Rense. Thought about adding some cracks but just got lazy.

You did a great job of giving these photos a patina of authenticity. Mind you, in 1865 a 1/320 second exposure wasn't possible, but on the other hand your photos look like stills from a movie. Only anachronisms I noticed was a couple pairs of eyeglasses with modern lenses in them and one machine rolled cigarette.

I can't find that dang cigarette. I would clone it out if I could find it.

As to authenticity...
...Just take my word for it, a modern field army at least, is just not that clean and well groomed.

Which, of of course, is not the fault of the photographer.

You just know how bad these guys had to have smelled too.

[RGlasel]

I can't find that dang cigarette. I would clone it out if I could find it.

My bad, what I saw as a cigarette is actually a pipe with a straight tube and an invisible bowl. (I thought he had a sticker on his face!)

[micromacro]

I even did not realize at first that top picture is not a replica
Really cool set.

[slowpez]

My bad, what I saw as a cigarette is actually a pipe with a straight tube and an invisible bowl. (I thought he had a sticker on his face!)

Not bad. I appreciate it when people point out that kind of stuff because I always seem to miss something I shouldn't have. Of course, I spent just hours looking at these just to try to find that cigarette. Now that's bad.

I even did not realize at first that top picture is not a replica
Really cool set.

Thanks.

[DW58]

I like 'em. Well done!

[eaglem]

These have come up a treat.............detailed sepia shots. Very nostalgic.

[GeoJerry]

These are great! I love the composition and treatment, making them look ancient. Cool!

[Schraubstock]

Hi
Susan, the first image is outstanding. It is such a shame one of the participants wears modern eye glasses. If this was my image I would not be afraid to spend a considerable amount of time to clone them off his face, because the image and its treatment is that good. Maybe if he participates again next year he can be made to wear contacts.

Try to introduce a bit of grain into the image (the new Topaz DeNoise 6 which I have just downloaded for free will do this very well.) This is not a criticism just an idea.

Thanks for posting.

Cheers

[slowpez]

I like 'em. Well done!

Thanks so much.

These have come up a treat.............detailed sepia shots. Very nostalgic.

Thank you EM.

These are great! I love the composition and treatment, making them look ancient. Cool!

Thanks a lot.

Hi
Susan, the first image is outstanding. It is such a shame one of the participants wears modern eye glasses. If this was my image I would not be afraid to spend a considerable amount of time to clone them off his face, because the image and its treatment is that good. Maybe if he participates again next year he can be made to wear contacts.

Try to introduce a bit of grain into the image (the new Topaz DeNoise 6 which I have just downloaded for free will do this very well.) This is not a criticism just an idea.

Thanks for posting.

Cheers

Thanks for the ideas. I have added a few scratches to the image already and will add some noise per your suggestion. I agree on those glasses and, while they may be beyond my capabilities it certainly won't hurt to try to remove them. Thanks so much for the suggestions. Now, back to photoshop..

[Tamia]

This is a convincing series, Susan. Well done. As to women reenactors, I don't know about the Civil War, but in some naval wars previous to this, women sometimes shipped aboard dressed as boys.

[AussieTrev]

Excellent series. The treatment is spot on.