Getting great pictures of South Carolina’s battle sites and monuments requires extensive travel, both by car and on foot. Then, once you get there, you must determine the best composition. This includes the time of day, angle, among other things. Sometimes, you must visit the site several times, and might even need a hotel room for the night. After all, the best times of day for photography are mornings and evenings. But it’s a worthy labor of love! It fulfills my desire to learn more about the places I visit. In this case, more about the history of South Carolina, SC, American Revolution 250 Years.
Over the years, I’ve learned a good bit about taking photos. One is that sometimes it’s good to have a companion, especially when the battle site is in an isolated area. Blackstock Battlefield is such an area. As I zigzagged across the top of the state, from one battle site to the next, I finally got to Monument Road. The entrance to Blackstock Battle Site is an isolated, one-lane 1.6-mile road leading to Blackstock. A part of the Palmetto Trail, the Ranger said that Blackstock was open, but the gate was locked. I needed to park and walk the rest of the way, approximately 200 feet. I drove to the dusty parking area three times, once even getting out of the car. But alas, determined that it was not a good idea to go it alone. The next day, Eddie drove back there with me.
In addition to determining the driving time, I use several checklists to make sure I have everything I need. One list is for camera gear, cards, flash, tripod, filters, an assortment of lenses, and batteries. Another list includes clothes; I’m always covered from head to toe in sun-protection clothes and a hat. In addition, there’s sunscreen, knick-knacks, and plenty of water. I found that it’s a good idea to take a broom to remove debris from the monument if needed.
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