How was the Civil War photographed?

Almost 70 percent of photographs taken during the Civil War were stereoviews, which were essentially 19th century three-dimensional photos. To take a stereoview, a photographer used a twin lens camera with its lenses an eye-width apart to capture the same image from slightly different angles, much as our own eyes do.

How photographic images were created and distributed during the Civil War?

During the Civil War era, the ambrotype—an image on glass—joined the tintype—an image on an iron plate—as popular means of distributing images. Audiences also greatly consumed the carte de visite—a portrait glued to paper stock. By the time of the Civil War, photography was increasingly professionalized.

What was photography like in the Civil War?

Are there any action photographs of the Civil War?

Because wet-plate collodion negatives required from 5 to 20 seconds exposure, there are no action photographs of the war. The name Mathew B. Brady is almost a synonym for Civil War photography.

What is the National Archives identifier for the Civil War?

Local Identifier: 111-B-499. National Archives Identifier: 524918. The Civil War was the first large and prolonged conflict recorded by photography.

What should I look for in a civil war photo?

Separate inquiries about other Civil War photography should be as specific as possible listing names, places, events, and other details. We have very few portraits of lower ranking individuals and much of our Civil War holdings highlight high-ranking military personnel.

Who were the photographers of the Civil War?

During the war, dozens of photographers–both as private individuals and as employees of the Confederate and Union Governments–photographed civilians and civilian activities; military personnel, equipment, and activities; and the locations and aftermaths of battles.