This Happened - April 23: History's First Iconic War Photo
Roger Fenton's photograph "the Valley of the Shadow of Death," is considered the first-ever iconic war image, and was taken on this day in 1885.
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What is the Valley of the Shadow of Death?
The area known as the "Valley of the Shadow of Death" is a narrow valley in Crimea, where one of the bloodiest battles of the Crimean War took place on October 25, 1854. The photograph was taken in 1855, after the battle had taken place. It is not a photograph of the actual battle, but rather a photograph of the aftermath.
What is the significance of the Valley of the Shadow of Death photograph?
The image is significant because it is one of the first images in the early years of photography to depict the aftermath of a battle. It shows a desolate landscape littered with cannonballs, and it captures the horror and devastation of war. The photograph also raises questions about the role of photography in shaping public opinion about war.
What happened to the Valley of the Shadow of Death?
The Valley of the Shadow of Death is still in the Crimea, and it is now a popular tourist destination. The area has been cleaned up and is no longer littered with cannonballs, but there are still signs of the battle, including trenches and fortifications.
