“R.J.Gibson-Civil War Photographer”

23 January, 2012…

"Sue and I"

When I first became interested in the Civil War, and more specifically, Gettysburg, I saw an ad for a civil war photographer, who was taking images using original equipment and traditional formulas…as a photographer myself, I was already curious about the “tintypes” and “glass plates”, having learned a little from the Ken Burns documentary…it’s hard to imagine that countless original glass plates were used in greenhouses after the war, with the images being lost due to exposure to sunlight…so, I went into R.J. Gibson’s upstairs studio on Steinwehr Avenue in Gettysburg…

Rob was very welcoming, and showed me his original cameras, the tin and glass plates, and explained the process, including the original chemicals and how they bring the image to life…he also showed me his extensive wardrobe-uniforms, dresses, and civilian clothing, for those outside the living history realm who wish to dress for the occasion…

Having my own uniform, that of a Union private with the 62nd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, I was ready for my first Gibson image…and what a great experience, doing just what so many soldiers did once they received their uniform–setting for a tintype…it didn’t take long to realize that Rob truly is a “master photographer”, as he took great care in the prepping for the shot, and then invited me to watch as the chemicals “raise” the image on the tin plate…

"My first Gibson image"

Since that first visit to Gibson’s, I make sure to stop in every time I am in Gettysburg…Rob, his wife Dee, and “Norman”[the dog], are always quick to offer a cup of coffee, and a look at some of Rob’s latest works…and over the years, Rob has taken a number of images for me, Sue, and most recently, the 62nd PVI…

"Sue-in an original case"

It was truly a special day in July, when Rob, Dee, and an assistant brought the camera “into the field”…as part of the 62nd’s encampment at the Lightner Farmhouse B&B, we had requested two images be taken: one of our entire Company[ soldiers,women,civilians], and one of our descendant soldiers[we have seven at this time]…it was very easy to imagine a photographer coming into camp, seeing a small company at rest,

"62nd Descendant Tintype"

and setting up for a portrait…and with the farmhouse as a backdrop[the Lightner Farmhouse was a Corps Hospital], the images couldn’t look any more “original”…