It's been four years since I attended the Battle of Monmouth American Revolution reenactment in New Jersey. At this event, I've taken some of my favorite photos. My up-close vent cannon shot is the first photo on my website from this event in 2009. 

My drive that early Saturday morning was easy and fast. Like the actual battle, this event typically is stifling hot and humid. Not today; the weather was comfortable. Unfortunately, I couldn't attend the afternoon reenactment because of a family illness. I had to leave early. But I still captured some excellent photos.

Many of my best and favorite photos I've taken in the last few years are not from the reenactments. Just simple, candid images of reenactors and camp life. This photo was a perfect example and a pleasant surprise. 

Notice how the tin canteens are in sequence for these three British reenactors. At the top left, one reenactor is sipping water, the second is swallowing, and finally, the last is finished. Only after carefully reviewing the photo did I notice this sequence. Sometimes, I'll see the patterns before taking the shot; other times, like this one, I'm lucky!

This photo is funny. I searched for where the horses were resting and grazing. One horse appeared to be eating the bark of a tree. I never saw that before. Not that I'm a horse expert. His handler was there, so I asked what the horse was doing. He said the horse was bored. I just chuckled to myself. Horses get bored, which is new to me. It sure makes for a unique photo, though.

I'll often take panoramic photos to show many reenactors at an event. Then, you get a sense of how big the reenactment was.

It's easy for me to compose panoramas now. I'll start in the middle of my subject, slowly rotate left to right, stop in short intervals, and take about 5-8 single shots. In On1 software, I stitch them together. Most times, everything works perfectly, like this one.

Sometimes, you see a photo. You know it's there; hopefully, you can capture it. Below is a perfect example. I was walking in a sloped area near the American camp and saw these two artillery reenactors relaxing above me around their cannons. They looked so natural and almost posing for a picture. I waited patiently for the flag to flap in the wind before I took the photo. Patience is the key.

Walking around the camps at an American Revolution reenactment event is fun. There are always photo opportunities to find. In this photo, it's the mom and her son just relaxing. The light was perfect, so it made a nice photo. 

Thank you for reading! 

Blog # 64 will be posted in October 2023. Be safe & well!

Ken Bohrer