Smilin' Reb

American Civil War reenactor at a festival in Tennessee.

This one is super Doug, I think one of your best

Mike is right. This is one of your very best (and you've got some dandies for sure). Love the skin tones and the detail and the way you've cropped it. Just wonderful. It's going into my fave folder.

Thank you gents!

 

I have ambivalent feelings about war reenactments. But I do admire the dedication of those who participate. I'd be a heat stroke casualty wearing those heavy wool uniforms in 90 degree weather.

Thank-you for your very kind comments. I wanted to comment on this photo, as it is a wonderful portrait, with a smile as broad as it is genuine - hard to get both in a photo with such great composition. Your comment about feeling ambivilent about reenactment photos also struck a chord with me. It makes you wonder how long it will be before we can make a game of the war in Iraq. (Apparently Vietnam is now fair game for play...) Except for the top of his rifle, if that is what that is, I wouldn't have known without your comment, and it is the obvious warmth of the gentleman in the photo that drew my attention. The composition, with the strong diaglonals running through it (suspenders to eyes to tent seam) further adds to the dynamic feeling of the image, although the man's smile, long diagonal beard and hand can certainly carry the image on their own. The colors are great, as are the textures provided by his rough shirt, his beard and that wonderful hat. I hope you were able to give him a copy of this portrait, as it is one I am sure he and his family would treasure for a very long time. Keep up the great work, and thanks again-

Mark

Excellent portrait. He looks like a modern day Walt Whitman.