Andersonsville, Ga

[RobSPhotoNut]

This is obviously two separate shots put together in Photoshop. It is also a work in progress, debating on completing the thought. My thoughts on the completed picture are thus: When visiting Andersonville Civil War museum, as well as the attached POW Museum, I found the Civil War graves to be very haunting. When later I saw the POW museum statue entreating help, I knew the pictures needed to be melded. My request is this, does my feeling also reflect your feelings, or might it be "just another picture?" Does the picture evoke emotion, or purpose to you? If so, your thoughts are welcome! As well as critique. My Photoshop ability is not good, so I have been trying trial and error!
Camera Data picture 1 (headstones)
Nikon D300
10-24mm f3.5 - 4.5g
10mm
ASA 200
1/250s f16

Camera Data picture 2 (statue)
Nikon D300
Nikkor 18-200VR f3.5 - 5.6g
70mm
ASA 200
1/50s f10

[flytyer57]

I like the way the statue is placed in the aisle between the head stones.

I wish there was a memorial like this up in Yankee land to commemorate the confederate soldiers who starved and froze to death in prison camps up there.

[RobSPhotoNut]

Actually, the National Cemetery at Andersonville is also a National POW museum. A fascinating place. I feel that photographs need to convey a message. They need to elicit an emotion. I was unsure if this one had that effect on other people. Thanks for posting. Appreciated.

[Doug Sundseth]

Originally Posted by flytyer57

I wish there was a memorial like this up in Yankee land to commemorate the confederate soldiers who starved and froze to death in prison camps up there.

You mean like the one at Ft. Delaware? Or the one at Ft. Monroe?

Further, remember that much of the reason for the terrible conditions in ACW prisons was that the US refused to exchange prisoners unless the Confederacy treated black prisoners the same as white prisoners. Since the CSA had a policy of treating black prisoners as slaves, this resulted in no exchanges for much of the war, so prison camps on both sides became horribly overcrowded.

[flytyer57]

[QUOTE=Doug Sundseth;1376085]You mean like the one at Ft. Delaware? Or the one at Ft. Monroe?[QUOTE]

No I was not aware of any memorials up north. I do know thousands of southern prisoners died though. I guess Andersonville is the only well known camp because the yankees didn't want to advertise their poor treatment of southern prisoners during and after the war.

"A Union propaganda campaign following the war decried the dire conditions of Confederate prisons, while ignoring its own. According to James McPherson, a history professor at Princeton University, the sole person executed for war crimes was Major Henry Wirz, the Confederate commandant of Andersonville."

[RobSPhotoNut]

From the books I have read, you are correct about Major Wirtz. He was the only person hanged for war crimes. My photograph was not intended to stir the North/South debate nor animosity. It was intended to show the request for mercy for their pain and suffering, as well as all POW's everywhere. This is my intent. The critique I am requesting is if that emotion is present in the photographs felt by you, as well as exposure, etc of the two frames.

[flytyer57]

I guess you did bring out some emotions.

To some of us, that North/South thing can be as touchy as Right/Left.

[RobSPhotoNut]

It is intended for POW/MIA from everywhere. From the WWII German concentration camps, to the Japanese Bataan death march, from the Hanoi Hilton to Abu Gharaib. I am concerned whether the photo is self evident of that, or if a title becomes necessary for explanation. I am no pro, the picture is only for my benefit and learning how to improve my knowledge and rules of photography. Thanks for all help.