The Ordnance Wharf, Balaklava 1855

Roger Fenton's "The Ordnance Wharf, Balaklava" (1855) is a striking example of war photography. The image depicts a scene of preparation and organization in the midst of the Crimean War. In the foreground, cannonballs are piled high, ready to be loaded onto ships. A ship's bow fills the left side of the image. Behind the ship, a hillside can be seen with a row of buildings, perhaps a military encampment, at its base. The photograph conveys the vast scale of military operations and the human effort involved in moving supplies and munitions. The image was part of Fenton's extensive documentation of the war, and its historical significance and visual impact contribute to the artist's legacy.