Balaklava, from Guard's Hill 1855

Roger Fenton captured this albumen silver print, “Balaklava, from Guard's Hill,” during the Crimean War. As one of the first war photographers, Fenton was tasked with documenting the conflict, and, perhaps more importantly, with countering negative reports about the war. The photograph presents a seemingly serene landscape. The bay of Balaklava is framed by rolling hills, dotted with the tents of British soldiers. This image avoids the graphic depiction of the war's brutal realities that were increasingly part of the public discourse. Instead, we are presented with an ordered and calm scene, characteristic of the Victorian era's approach to warfare and its aesthetics. Fenton's position as an artist embedded with the British forces necessarily influenced his work, shaping both what he chose to capture and how he presented it. The photograph leaves me wondering about the stories and lived experiences of those obscured within the camp. This picture encourages us to consider the complex relationship between conflict, representation, and identity.