Comments on: A 90 Year Old Example of Forced Perspective Photography

By: Alex - Suffolk Wedding Photographers

Alex - Suffolk Wedding Photographers — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 09:18:22 +0000

@Drady.

I agree with the sentiment you’ve made about reshooting it after the war, but you’ll notice that this shot was made in 1918, which means, in essence, most likely these soldiers wouldn’t have been fighting as they are still Stateside at the wars conclusion.

By: Sime

Sime — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 18:25:25 +0000

Steve – Check this out…

http://filipspagnoli.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/human-statue-of-liberty.jpg

By: Steve Laitman

Steve Laitman — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 15:22:55 +0000

Wrong photography- breath! It was 1800 not 18,000! I count 18 men in first row and approximately 100 rows.
That being said, this is a fabulous photograph proving once again that some of those old time film photographers were more skilled than a lot of us digital phtographers.

By: Bo Mackison

Bo Mackison — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:18:36 +0000

drandy has a thought that would have made much impact – an after the war shot of survivors.

This is a remarkable feat, a remarkable photo, so much creativity in this. Thanks to Lynn for describing how it was done. But white flags on a long pole? Wow! Lots of maneuvering.

By: Lynn

Lynn — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 09:29:25 +0000

Nope, this is not a fake. It was one of a series of “Living Portraits” taken in 1918 by Arthur Mole and John D. Thomas who would spend a week or more on preparations for each photograph. The photograph of the “Living Statue of Liberty” was actually intended to promote war bonds but was never used.They began by tracing the desired image on a ground-glass plate mounted on Mole’s camera. Using a megaphone, body language, and a long pole with a white flag tied to the end to point to the more remote areas where the bulk of the troops had to be stationed, Mole would then position his helpers on the field as they nailed the pattern to the ground with miles of lace edging. In this way, Mole also figured out the exact number of troops required. These steps were preliminary to the many hours required to assemble and position the troops on the day of shooting. Some of their other portraits included “Living Portrait of Woodrow Wilson”, “Human Liberty Bell” and “Human US Shield”. Very impressive!

By: DaedaLusT

DaedaLusT — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 07:46:09 +0000

Wow! The scale of this is simply epic =O

By: Natalia

Natalia — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 04:02:49 +0000

Wow! That’s truly impressive, to think that this was done at the dawn of photography! Just amazing

By: airbrushjohn

airbrushjohn — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:40:33 +0000

i just did a senior clas with about 800 kids to make ’10 for the class of 2010, i took about an hour to even get them close to the right spot!! i can’t imagine 18,000!! awesome find! thanks for sharing!!!! john

By: Sean

Sean — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:45:00 +0000

I have a feeling that this is fake. 18,000 people?

By: Espen

Espen — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:55:50 +0000

More soldiers in perspective: http://www.iowanationalguard.com/museum/cdstory/cdstory/libertystatuepage.htm