How were photos taken during the Civil War?

Join Garry Adelman as he describes the long process of taking photos during the time of the Civil War.

Welcome to Battlefield U! We provide answers to your questions about the Civil War, Revolutionary War and War of 1812. We aim to increase your baseline knowledge for school, battlefield visits or just to help you show off at social events. Check in on Tuesdays for our newest Battlefield U installment.

[paulstan]

Amazing about the resolution I never knew that.

[thedailybellringer]

One of the main reasons I love Civil War history is it is fascinating to see one of the first wars to photographed in history.

[SouthernGentleman]

It was funny how General Stonewall Jackson hated photographs and his wife tricked him into thinking Lee ordered him to do it.

[auditoneusa]

This guys passion and excitement, along with a family vacation to Gettysburg led me to my love of everything and anything about The American Civil War.

[dsambernardo]

Always asked my self how they did it, when I see a civil war photo. Thanks a lot for the video.

[georgeholloman]

I love the constant enthusiasm, such a fan of your work Mr. Adelman. I am not advertising here, but if any one is interested in viewing various photos from the civil. The National Archives and Records Administration makes available on-line over 6, 000 digitized images from various civil war battles, campaigns, and terrain.

[brig]

Keep bringing great educational videos. Thanks

[MakeNumismaticsGreatAgain]

Awesome video as always! Keep them coming! I and many others enjoy them greatly!

[macdog]

Fantastic content as always. Cheers from Australia.

[SouthernGentleman]

A Hand painting was still in use and I think that has more meaning.

[TheLeprechaunjm]

Funny - I worked at Kodak Canada in the 1980's and 90's, and the comment about the quality of film photography versus digital was what the Kodak executives told us when they decided it didn't need to worry about the potential disruption to its longstanding devotion to the film business model. That is, film would always be better and cheaper than digital.

[GrandMasterAbe]

No wonder no photos of battles in action. Thanks.

[Aubury]

These photographs are national treasures, so many l believe ended up as glazing for greenhouses.

[markholm]

Well there are digital cameras in existence that can beat the resolution of those glass plates. The problem is the cost of them are extremely high. In another decade or maybe a bit more - those type of cameras will be much more easy to acquire.

[PumpkinStrikesBack]

We gained in quantity but we lost in quality.