What about forts, for boys of any age, that make them so much fun to visit? It started when I was a kid visiting Fort Ticonderoga and Fort William Henry with my family. As an adult, I've often visited Fort Mifflin, once Fort Boonesborough, and now Fort Roberdeau, for their annual Revolutionary War Days event. Where is this fort? It's in Altoona, PA, about two hours from Pittsburg. I live outside of Philadelphia, so I left on Friday around Noon, and it was a pleasant four-hour highway drive. When I arrived in town, I had dinner and relaxed in my hotel, preparing for my busy Saturday. Before this event, I knew nothing about Fort Roberdeau.

It was also known as The Lead Mine Fort. It was built in 1778 during the American Revolution and occupied until 1780. The stockade, restored as a Bicentennial project between 1975 and 1976, features the reconstructed Revolutionary War fort, buildings, smelter, and a 19th-century farmhouse.

What was great about the programming at this event was the busy yet manageable pace of all the activities. There was minimal downtime. In this depiction, a group of settlers came across this cabin in 1778, where all of the inhabitants, men, women, and children, were massacred. Raids like this were a common occurrence living on the frontier. It was usual for neighbors and families to be loyal to the English, called loyalists or those who wanted to create a new nation, referred to as patriots. This time was our nation's first Civil War. 

The kids involved in the skit, especially the girls, were quite convincing. When they came upon their dead neighbors/family, they started crying and shrieking so convincingly that the young kids in the audience started crying and wailing. They had me rattled too.

These men in this region of PA were all experienced frontiersmen. They knew how to survive with help from no one. They were tracking those responsible for the cabin massacre. Read tales of what happened during these raids then and how horrific these times were. So, how did you determine who was on what side? Since it was hard to distinguish who was a Loyalist (loyal to England), they mentioned wearing yellow ribbons in their hats to differentiate themselves at this event. 

It's fun to watch reenactors speaking with families about the American Revolution. Reenactors enjoy interacting with the public, especially kids, and sharing their knowledge. Every time I speak with one, I learn something new. Ask a question the next time you attend an event!

I shot this photo near the end of the battle reenactment. The scenario was that Loyalists almost captured some women and young girls. They were able to avoid capture and ran to the fort's safety. At first, the girls walked, then boom, they started running to the fort. Unexpectedly, this girl just went airborne. She was fine, got up, and continued to the fort. Luckily, I acquired experience shooting action shots like this when photographing college football, lacrosse, and soccer events years ago. You're striving for the peak of action, which I captured here.

Around 4 pm, I left. After an hour of driving, I was looking for a restaurant to recharge myself. Now, breakfast is my favorite meal, and at that time, I saw a sign for Dennys. I last visited that restaurant a while ago, but I remembered they had a great breakfast. And they do. After a marvelous high-calorie meal, I was back on the road again. Before arriving home, the car GPS lady wanted me to see as many small towns and remote spots as possible! I drove, drove, and drove some more. I did get home late, but importantly, I was safe. Based on my short adventure, I highly recommend visiting Fort Roberdeau. 

Thank you for reading! Blog #76 will be posted in October 2024.  Be safe & well!

Check out my photo gallery with over 100 photos from this event.

Ken Bohrer

The Monmouth Battlefield State Park in Manalapan, the eastern section of NJ, is close to NYC and holds one of my favorite reenactment events of the year. Most years I attend, it's held in late June, close to the actual battle date. 

This Saturday was a perfect day for this event. Unlike the battle, it wasn't too hot, with a clear blue sky and puffy clouds. I left home early, and my car ride on the PA and NJ turnpikes was quick and relaxing, just over an hour. I was excited to meet up with photo friends and reenactors. At every event, something new happens. This event was no different. I had before-reenactment and after-reenactment moments.  

Around lunchtime, I saw a photo friend speaking with a small group of reenactors. He introduced me. They were from Louisiana, and it was their first time attending this event. I learned they spent the summer traveling the country and attending events throughout the US because of their summer break being teachers. Besides American Revolution events, they also were involved in the French and Indian War, War of 1812, and WW2 events. Wow! They were towing a trailer the size of a small RV with all their equipment.

After the reenactment, as I left to go home, I stopped by to say goodbye to my friend Ron at his sutler's (merchant) tent. He was conversing with a family, and I noticed the dad had a NY accent. I asked him where he was from. His response made me take a few steps backward. Yes, he was not just from NY but from the small town where I grew up, in the eastern part of Long Island. What are the odds? He graduated from my high school about ten years after I did. That's why these events are so much fun. You never know what will happen and what interesting people you will meet.

This photo encompasses what reenactments are all about. They educate adults, especially kids, about our nation's beginning, which means our struggles and accomplishments. Reenactors enjoy telling their stories with others. Don't be shy. Ask them questions; they want to share their knowledge!

Lately, I've been fascinated with Continental soldier canteens, and I now focus on finding special ones to photograph at every new event. They come in all shapes and sizes. At this event, I photographed four unique ones. The photo below shows a more common type in the shape of a barrel. They were...

"...constructed like barrels by experienced "bottle makers" with their distinctive rims of staves bound together by wooden hoops (later examples would use thin iron bands). The Continental Army ordered thousands of them. They were rugged and serviceable and held about a quart of liquid."

Over the years, I've taken many canteen photos. They always have something unique about them, usually in design and color. On my drive home, I thought that would make a great blog topic in the future.

With today's cameras and variable aperture lenses, sometimes it's easy to be lazy. You can stand in one spot and change your focal length to get the photo. Lately, I've wanted to challenge myself photographically, so I purposefully use my prime Nikon 50 mm 1.8 lens sometime during an event. 

The lens becomes 75 mm because my Nikon D500 has a crop sensor, which means it's magnified 1.5 times. This lens has a significant advantage: the aperture can be as open as 1.8mm, blurring out the background. This lens makes some great portrait photos.

Photography is not just about clicking a button; it's about visualizing the shot. This photo is a perfect example. I had a clear vision of capturing just the women knitting. With a zoom lens, I could have quickly taken numerous images at different photos without moving an inch. But with this lens, I had to work the shot, taking a few to get the shot I had envisioned. It's this thoughtful process that makes photography so rewarding.

Among my photo pals, there's a unanimous agreement that if an event includes cannon firings, we must capture at least one good one. At this event, I've included more cannon shots than ever before, each one unique. But this one, in particular, is the best, showcasing the fire and fury emanating from these cannons. The primary reason this image is spectacular is the saturated color.

One photo friend commented that the great color resulted from the cannon in the shade. I agree. The reenactments generally occur in open fields during the worst time of the day, around high noon. The sun is overhead, muting the colors and causing awful shadows. Not here.

When I first reviewed the photo below, I thought it was nice but nothing special. But I was wrong. When photographing reenactment events, I take many pictures, and only later, after downloading and reviewing, do I discover the best ones. At first glance, this photo appears cluttered, but it's pretty simple and tells a story. It's about an older couple eating a meal. 

The left side of the photo shows all the equipment they need for their weekend encampment. However, focus on the right side, which shows the couple eating. It's so uncomplicated and touching. But it gets me asking myself what's happening, and that's what all good photos are supposed to do. Sometimes, the everyday moments make for the most exciting images.

Thank you for reading! Blog #75 will be posted in September 2024.  Be safe & well!

Ken Bohrer

Sometimes, you have to take pictures when you can. I hoped to spend the entire Saturday at the 2024 Pennypacker Mills encampment event in Montgomery County, in the eastern suburbs around Philly. That was my plan. It didn't work out that way, but I made the best of it.

First, I needed to take my oldest son to a Saturday class he has weekly. Luckily, the school is only about 15 miles from the encampment. It was not a good start when we left home late. I arrived about an hour later than I hoped. It was also a rainy day—no downpours, but just enough rain that I needed to cover my camera while walking around.

Here is one of the last photos of my day: a simple photo of the dragoons practicing in formation. They were in an open field near the parking area. No one else was around. I followed them around and took about 20 shots. Unbeknownst to me, I captured a flying bird in this shot. I don't remember that ever happening before.

But, shortly after, I needed to drive home because my toddler wasn't feeling well. I missed all the afternoon firing and maneuvering drill events. Ah well, photographing some is better than not at all!

Some information about this historic site.

"Pennypacker Mills is a well-documented historic site of what life was like in the early 1900s. With a unique original collection, the mansion is fully furnished with antiques collected and documented by former Pennsylvania Governor Samuel W. Pennypacker reflecting his interests in early Pennsylvania history, German and Dutch settlers, Native Americans, the Revolutionary War and the Civil War. The collection also includes Governor Pennypacker’s political (1903 - 1907), genealogical and personal papers."

The house, built in 1720, is in the colonial revival style. You may wonder if George Washington visited this home. Yes, he did! It was his headquarters before and after the Battle of Germantown in 1777.

Post-processing my photos afterward is the most fun for me. The picture on the left shows how my camera sees the image in RAW format, with no changes. But, if you shoot in JPEG format, the camera automatically makes corrections and adjustments. With the array of tools, sharpening, filters, and sliders in On1 software, I can completely metamorphose photos as I did to the one on the right.

This level of control empowers me to shape the image to align with my vision and artistic intent. The process is similar to the old black-and-white film days when we tweaked the print using tools to dodge and burn to manipulate the exposure of select areas. However, with the advent of today's technology, this process has blossomed into a whole new domain. The difference in the quality of the images' created today is truly remarkable!

On the house tour, I felt like I was in a museum or antique store. The house had many portraits, paintings, drawings, and other exciting objects displayed throughout. The preservation of this house is outstanding. So many other similar historic homes needed painting or had water damage, but not this one. When taking the tour, this kerosene lamp caught my attention.

Later, in post-processing, I wanted to create a nostalgic photo. My first thought was to convert it to B&W. Then, with filters and tools in On1 software, I made this look like a nostalgic B&W image with lots of film grain added. It was so much fun! 

You can always learn something new at reenactment/encampment events like this. Here, a Brewster was demonstrating the art of making beer. He's using a blow poke, from research learned that wasn't around in the 18th century, to stoke the fire. I took the photo just at the right time.

Thank you for reading! Blog #74 will be posted in August 2024.  Be safe & well!

Ken Bohrer

The encampment for George Washington's troops at Jockey Hollow, with 10,000 soldiers, from the end of 1779 to early 1780 proved to be one of the coldest on record during the American Revolution. It was known as "the hard winter" with seven blizzards. The conditions were worse than at Valley Forge two years earlier. Besides the weather, there was less food, but thankfully, not as many soldiers perished. Why isn't Jockey Hollow remembered as much as Valley Forge? There is this aura regarding Valley Forge, but even today, Jockey Hollow isn't mentioned or even known about. 

It's hard to believe, but it had been five years, 2019 since I attended their spring encampment event. I left the Philly suburbs around 9 AM on a beautiful Saturday, taking the significant highways circling Philly, and arrived in NJ around Morristown about an hour later. These driving trips are relaxing for me.

Now, when I go, it's fun browsing through the gift shop to find where the book Jockey Hollow by Rosalie Lauerman is displayed. Why? Three of my photos are featured. Her book was on the front table when entering the visitor's center. The photo below shows the book.

Reminiscing about the photos in her book gave me an excellent idea for a future blog: to review some of my published images in books and magazines. There is no more incredible honor for a photographer than to have your work featured like that!

Good photos often capture simple moments and tell a story. I noticed this reenactor waiting for drills to start. Everyone else was staring straight ahead. He, though, was looking up at, who knows why? Maybe he was thinking about what is for dinner, or the sun is sure hot today. That's the fun of viewing a photo; we can only imagine.

I like to photograph canteens at these events. There is something unique about them with all their fancy designs and logos. I zoom in as tight as possible when shooting. This one was different because everything else besides the number 5 and the letter P wasn't recognizable.

The re-enactors practiced drilling and firing in formation when I positioned myself directly in front of them as if they were firing directly at me. I always wanted to sense what it feels like to have a musket barrel staring directly at you!

Later, when editing, I cropped as much as I could. I then added a canvas filter in On1 software to create this painting-like effect. 

You get this dark, cloudy, smokey effect from many muskets fired at once—almost like a solar eclipse. All your eyes can identify from the musket explosion is the initial fire blast from the ignited black powder. I have many pictures like this one on my site. I wonder if the reenactors realize the size and power of the musket blasts disseminating from them.

Thank you for reading! Blog #73 will be posted in July 2024.  Be safe & well!

Ken Bohrer

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

In last month's blog, # 70, I selected five unique photos I haven't seen taken by anyone at an American Revolution reenactment. A few photographers like me like to photograph these events, and we compare images. In this month's blog, I'll select five more unique photos; I discussed them all in other blogs.

This photo was taken at the Battle of Germantown event in 2019. Although I have hundreds of musket blasts on this website, this one stands out the most. At first glance, it looks like an abstract photo. I wonder if reenactors realize how much smoke, sparks, and fire their muskets produce during each volley. 

It's funny how you remember specific photos after so many years. Here is a perfect example. This photo is from the street battle at the Iron Works Hill event in 2011, which hadn't occurred in years. I remember it was a street battle in present-day Mount Holley, a small town with buildings representing architectural styles from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries lining the streets. The echo from the cannon and gun volleys that day was deafening. You can tell from the British reenactors how loud and painful it was for them. I have no other photo like it.

Someone recently commented that this photo from the Siege at Ft Mifflin 2023 looked like a painting. Yes, that's what I wanted to hear. I'm now exploring new ways of showcasing my work. This photo of the Schooner Northwind sailing on the Delaware River was initially okay but nothing special. I improved it in On1 Sofware. The significant change was adding the canvas filter, making this feel nostalgic, a painting. I want to make more aesthetic changes like this moving forward in my photography journey.

Some photos you always remember creating them. Colonial Williamsburg is my favorite location to visit. I've been there numerous times. In 2014, while walking early in the morning with a cup of coffee and my camera, I spotted a small building with a ladder hanging horizontally near Williamsburg’s Capitol building. From a distance, it looked like a mouth, and the windows looked like eyes. You see where I'm going. It was the first time I had noticed this during my many visits. With simple cropping, I was able to create this image. It makes me smile every time! 

Here is an excellent example of creating an image in post-processing. The original shot was good but missing something. The subject was the native American warrior with his war club from the Battle of Oriskany in 2012. But he  was not the focus area in the photo. In On1 software, I changed that by adding a radial blur filter to keep him focused and blurting everything else around him. It worked perfectly. My two-year son really likes this photo.

Thank you for reading! Blog #72 will be posted in June 2024.  Be safe & well!

Ken Bohrer

All my photography friends were at an American Revolution reenactment event last year. It was great. So, what did we discuss? Of course, our best photos. We're similar to fishing buddies trying to impress each other on who caught the biggest fish! We go back and forth, trying to top each other with embellished lore and tall tales. We're all good photographers, so the stories are impressive. Our recent topic was creating unique photos. I thought that would make a great blog! I'll discuss five photos for this blog and five next month.

I've reviewed all of these photos before in other blogs. For all of them, I used On1 software in post-processing, and for some, I used enhancing filters to alter the image significantly. Post-processing is the fun part of creating an image for me.

One of my friends specifically mentioned this photo below. I took it many years ago at the Battle of Germantown in 2012 and liked it. I didn't think it was remarkable then, but I was wrong! I've taken hundreds of musket blasts similar to this for many years, and not one has the sparks flying and swirling like this.

I'm also now using a new photo editing program to create cinematographs (subtle movement). My friend Harry Schenawolf, editor of Revolutionary War Journal, used this photo in one of his articles, Matchlocks & Flintlocks. I made this photo a cinemograph, it adds a new perspective. Take a look. What do you think?

Before most of the battle reenactments start, I tell myself to remember to zoom in as close as possible to my subject. I'm seeking that unique perspective! By doing this, I captured some of my best shots. Here is a perfect example. During the Battle of Trenton in 2019, I could zoom in close as the reenactor poured powder into the flash pan. This technique is challenging because the reenactors steadily move during the street battle. I like this photo; it was hard to capture.

I've often commented on this photo in other blogs from the Battle of Chadds Ford in 2021. When I added the radial blur filter, I made this photo look like an actual war photograph, and it gives me chills every time I see it! I've never seen another photo like it.

This photo never fails to amaze me. When I took it, I had no clue that Spyglass had the Delaware River's reflection. There are similar photos like this in my gallery from the Washington's Crossing 2019 event, but this is the best one. I am still trying to figure out what I did to get this reflection. I tried replicating it at each new Washington's Crossing event but have failed. Maybe I'll never be able to capture this again.

This image is a composite from the Battle of Newtown 2019 event. Did I take the shots consecutively? No! Only after reviewing the photos later did, I notice taking the same Native American reenactor headshot of his left and right side. Each image separately is good, but combined, it's perfect. I didn't plan it, though!

Thank you for reading! Blog #71 will be posted in May 2024.  Be safe & well!

Ken Bohrer

One of the photo techniques I use to make my photos unique is to zoom in as much as possible on my subject. It's hard during a reenactment with so much action and movement co-occurring. That's what is fantastic about the Battle of Trenton event, especially the morning street battle. So much action is happening, and at the same time, I'm trying to eliminate the modern city environment, such as telephone poles, cars, etc., as much as possible.

My Nikon 80-400 4.5-5.6 VR lens is the only one I use during a reenactment battle.  I was only about 5 feet away when taking this photo of the Hessian soldier adding black powder to his musket's flash pan. 

My good friend Harry Schenawolf, editor of the Revolutionary War Journal, describes in an article "Loading and Firing a Brown Bess Musket in the Eighteenth Century" how an 18th-century musket is loaded.

Half cock the musket by pushing back on the hammer with flint attached (called a dogshead). Push the frizzen  forward, open the pan (or flash pan), and pour a small amount of black powder from the cartridge.

Here's another photo of me zooming in on a reenactor firing his musket as tight as possible. I never know what to expect. This time, I noticed his eyes closed and then the sparks plus the smoke from the musket firing. Being so close adds more drama, and so many times, I'm surprised by the results.

Catching the peak action is always the goal. The surrender here ends the first battle in Mill Hill Park. You notice the out-of- focus British/Hessian troops holding their muskets upside down. 

Before I explain the photo here, I want to mention a pleasant experience. I was at my usual spot just past the Jackson Street Bridge, waiting for the second battle to commence around 3 pm. Behind me, at the end of the townhouse, I noticed numerous folks coming and bringing food. I jokingly asked one guy carrying a crock pot thanks for lunch and asked why everyone was entering this home with food. He mentioned a neighborhood party every year at this reenactment. About 15 minutes later, the person I spoke with tapped me on the shoulder and handed me a bowl of chili with cornbread. What a lovely gesture! I thanked him and had a delicious afternoon snack!

At no other Trenton reenactment, I've attended was the cannon placed on the bridge. Usually, it was on a hill adjacent to me. I like catching the cannon blast as the British troops are charging. It makes for an exciting photo.

Sometimes, you notice an object you haven't seen before, even when visiting that location numerous times. That's what happened here. This considerable medallion was on the right side of the barracks, where the officers lived, about 20 feet up. I was curious about its history, so I contacted the Executive Director Michelle Doherty and asked. She responded and stated.

The lion and unicorn medallion on the outside of the building is original to the building and is the royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom. The Old Barracks was built in 1758-9 to house British soldiers during the French and Indian War. 

To enhance the medallion as much as possible, I used sharpening tools in On1 software. It brings out the detail in the lion and unicorn. It's a good reminder that even if you visit someplace often, on any new visit, you might see something different and unique.

Thank you for reading! Blog #70 will be posted in April 2024.  Be safe & well!

Ken Bohrer

George Washington and his ragtag troops of about 2,400 crossed the icy Delaware River on Christmas Day around 6 PM during a severe snowstorm, one of the pivotal moments of the American Revolution. The revolution likely would have ended without this daring surprise attack and the defeat of the Hessian garrison at the Old Barracks in Trenton, NJ. Over the past 60 years, the crossing reenacted is held on Christmas Day, with thousands of spectators watching reenactors crossing the Delaware River from PA to the shore of NJ in replica Durham boats. For many families in the area, attending this event is a Christmas Day tradition. 

There is also the two-week before practice event, which I attend more often; it's a festival. I came on Christmas Day this year. I left home around 10:30 for about one hour, mainly around the Philadelphia highway. It was a beautiful, sunny day with above-average temperatures.

Once I arrived, I met some photo friends and spoke with some reenactors. It was only a short time before I spotted George Washington entering the (McConkey's Ferry Inn) to plan the crossing with his officers. His lifeguards were protecting him outside. I first converted this photo to black and white and used a new photo post-processing technique, the canvas filter in On1 software, to make it appear like a charcoal painting. With his spyglass, George Washington viewing the Delaware River was the perfect choice for this technique. 

This photo shows the Delaware River and the Washington Crossing Bridge linking PA and NJ. It is near where George Washington and his men crossed on Christmas Day. I shot this panoramic on the PA side while waiting for the event to commence. You'll notice the entire bridge overflowing with spectators with a closer look. I've taken photos from the bridge a few times. You get a different perspective when the Durham boats are crossing; they appear so small in scale. You are also in amazement at how George Washington and his men managed this crossing in an icy, dark river with horses and cannons in a blizzard without being spotted by the Hessian troops. It was a miracle! 

The Washington Crossing Bridge with many spectators observing the crossing. Chief Artillery Officer Henry Knox met George Washington when he became Commander of the American Army in 1775 at Cambridge, MA, and a close confidant of Washington throughout the war. He was involved in many significant battles, including Trenton. This photo shows him walking behind Washington while addressing his troops before the crossing. Even though Washington is out of focus in this photo, you know it's him!

The 13 six-pointed Star Commander In Chief blue flag designates Washington in the boat. He followed typical European tradition by having a flag designed for himself as an army leader. Where the general was at any time, so was the flag. If you look closely here, you can spot Washington at the bow. 

When reviewing this image, I immediately considered emphasizing the flag's water reflection in my post-production process. I cropped the photo to show this and used the canvas filter in On1 software for the painting effect. I like the results!
Thank you for reading! Blog # 69 will be posted in March 2024.  Be safe & well!

Ken Bohrer

The influential photographer Ansel Adams said, "Twelve significant photos in any year is a good crop." For my 2023 photo recap, I'm selecting five of my favorites. Did I achieve the twelve significant photos for the year like Ansel Adams? Maybe? I chose from nine events last year and over 450 posted photos. This time, I didn't choose my overall favorite. I like all of them wholly for different reasons.

When photographing a person, you're always looking for human emotion. This photo from the 1777 Whitemarsh encampment does just that. You can feel his frustration as he attempts to fix his rifle. We can all relate to being just like this moment when we're doing something that isn't working just right! Ah, we do try!

My favorite photo of 2022 is similar to this one. It's from the Battle of Monmouth and has three British soldiers standing in a line, with one pondering about something. This photo again has three British soldiers, and they appear to be nothing special until you look closely at the placement of the three tin canteens. At the top left, the first soldier is starting to sip from his, the second is swallowing, and the third is putting the plug back in the canteen-just a perfect sequence. I couldn't have planned this!

Some photos make you smile, and this is one of them for me. It's from the recent Revolutionary Germantown Festival. I noticed this man with the three-corned colonial hat holding this adorable baby girl and asked if I could take their photo; he graciously said yes. It was my first shot of the day. Sometimes, that one is the best overall.

For the last few years, Ft Mifflin has offered, as part of siege weekend, the opportunity to cruise the Delaware River around the fort with Gloucester City’s Tall Ship, the Schooner North Wind. For this photo and two others of the same ship, #7, #8, and #9 in this photo gallery, I used On-1 software to create an old, period type photo by adding a canvas filter that makes the image resemble a painting. Just perfect!

Here is a simple but interesting photo from the Battle of Monmouth 20233 event. It follows numerous photography composition rules, such as not having the subject in the center of the frame, leading lines, and shallow depth of field. One rule I didn't follow was having my topic on the left side of the frame. It's okay because you notice the out-of-focus soldiers first, leading to the subject. It works.

Thank you for reading! Blog # 68 will be posted in February 2024.  Be safe & well, and Happy New Year!

I learned that reenactor/sutler Ted Hueskin passed away in November. I've known him and his wife, Sue, for over ten years, and at every event, we would say hello and chat for a few minutes. Wonderful guy! I have many photos of him over the years, including this one from the 2022 Washington's Crossing event, where he was one of Washington's lifeguards. He's the soldier at the left holding his musket with his left hand. RIP Ted!

Ken Bohrer

The Marketing and Development Coordinator at Cliveden (also known as the Chew House) had recently asked me to photograph the special events at the early October 2023 Revolutionary Germantown Festival. I've attended the Battle of Germantown reenactment event many times since I live in the Philly suburbs. It has become a different type of event in the last few years. Pre-covid, it was called the Battle of Germantown (two battle reenactments), with the highlights having George Washington's troops storming the Clevedon stone mansion unsuccessfully, just like the actual battle on October 4, 1777. 

This year, again, it was a festival with a small number of Continental and British first-person interpreters, vendors, a replica of George Washington's mobile tent, a battle overview by Thomas J. McGuire, the commemoration of those who were in the battle, an exhibition from the Souls Shot Portrait Project, Storytime at 10:30 am at the new Literacy Nest and family-friendly activities. I thought of myself as an event photographer, not one photographing a reenactment. It was essential to see the big picture and capture the special moments.

The weather forecast for the day was intermittent rain with downpours. We got lucky, with only a few scattered showers throughout the day. Here was one of the first photos I took in the morning. I saw this man with the three-cornered hat holding this adorable baby girl. I got it on my first attempt; sometimes, everything works perfectly! Here is the link to this event's photos.

The day was about educating the public about the life of an American Revolution soldier. It's needed to start educating kids about our history accurately and honestly.

Reenactors are accustomed to having their photos taken. Just ask politely, and they will usually say okay. That's what I did here.

In all my years visiting this site, it still amazes me that this is the original house that played such a pivotal role in the outcome of the Battle of Germantown in 1777. The mansion is that old. At this event, author Thomas J. McGuire always provides an excellent oration of the battle and the role of this mansion in it.

There is always a commemorative ceremony by British and Continental troops for who lost their lives at the battle. On both sides, about 200 soldiers were killed.

Thank you for reading! If you need an event photographer for an event, please get in touch with me.
Blog # 67 will be posted in January 2024. I'll share my top 5 photos of 2023. Be safe & well and Happy Holidays!!

Ken Bohrer

In last month's blog, I described my summer family trip to Korea at the historic Jeju Folk Village (Jeju Minsokchon) on Juju Island, off the southern tip of the mainland. For this blog, I'll describe the largest of four historical villages in the Seoul suburbs, Korean Folk Village.

Seoul is the capital of South Korea and the country's largest city, with a population of nearly ten million people. There is much to see and do in this safe, clean, progressive city. I wanted to learn more about Seoul's historical past.

We visited on a sunny, hot, humid weekday. There were few visitors that day.

The Korean Folk Village has more activities like this traditional dance ensemble. This village was bigger and had more to see. As I described last month, my camera was my compact and light Panasonic/Lumix Mirrorless DMC-GF6 camera with a 14-42 mm lens.

As my family was walking the grounds, crossing over a small bridge above a gently meandering creek, I spotted this heron searching for a meal. I'm not a wildlife photographer, but I did spot an excellent photo opportunity. Then, all of a sudden, the bird went from fishing to ascending into the air as I took the shot. It was fun capturing this moment.

With few interpreters on the grounds, many sites had mannequins depicting everyday life. My educated guess is that this couple was not typical villagers.

 Here was a photo opportunity I couldn't pass up. Somebody in this stone hut arranged all these colorful wooden figurines in neat rows. I wanted to know if they were for sale. My oldest son was inquiring about them. No one was around to ask.
As my family was strolling the grounds, I spotted this straw hut with a matching fence. At the bottom left, I noticed a stream of light. It just glowed. It made for a good photo.

Thank you for reading! 

Blog # 66 will be posted in December 2023. Be safe & well!

Ken Bohrer

On my 5-week family trip to Seoul, South Korea, I asked to visit Korean historical sites. Although my photography focuses on the American Revolution, I enjoy learning about history everywhere. On this trip, I was fortunate to see two Colonial Williamsburg-type historical-themed villages. I'll review in this blog Jeju Folk Village (Jeju Minsokchon) on Juju Island, known as the 'Hawaii of Korea'. In next month's blog, I'll review my visit to the Korean Folk Village in the Seoul suburbs.

The first restoration we visited was Jeju Folk Village (Jeju Minsokchon) on Jeju Island in the Korea Strait, about 50 miles south of the South Korean mainland. An underwater volcano's eruption approximately 2 million years ago created the island. We took a short, less than one-hour plane flight from Inchon airport to the island. We stayed for three days and two nights. The weather didn't cooperate, and it rained at some point every day.

It was a warm, muggy weekday, so not crowded with visitors. Unlike Colonial Williamsburg, there were no interpreters providing tours. Instead, we were strolling the grounds and reading occasional educational information on posted signs.

For this trip, I took my compact and light Panasonic/Lumix Mirrorless DMC-GF6 camera for this trip abroad with a 14-42 mm lens.  Photographers know this, but it takes a lot of work to focus on photography when you're with family. They don't understand why you're taking so long in one place and want to take the same shot from different angles and perspectives. Creating a photo must be done quickly. That's what happened here with these stone figures. I don't know what they symbolize but it makes for an interesting photo. 

Their site map/ brochure describes the Jeju Folk Village as a vivid and faithful re-creation of Jeju Island's traditional culture and history during the late Joseon Dynasty. It is committed to informing international visitors about Jeju's folk culture. 

This Dynasty was the last dynastic kingdom of Korea, lasting just over 500 years. It was founded by Yi Seong-gye in July 1392 and replaced by the Korean Empire in October 1897. A critical element of Korean culture is an earthenware pot called onggi, which has been used for tableware and food storage since prehistoric times. They vary in size. The photo shows how big they can be.

This door was the entrance to the village. The colors were so vibrant I knew this would make a good photo.

My one-and-a-half-year-old- son enjoyed "meeting" this golden ox. He was in awe. In the stone homes, there were also mannequins dressed in traditional clothing. That way, you would feel what living in that period would be like.

Thank you for reading! In next month's blog I'll review my visit to the Korean Folk Village in the Seoul suburbs.

Blog # 65 will be posted in November 2023. Be safe & well!

Ken Bohrer

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