It is always a pleasure to share Ken Bohrer’s photographs with our readers and this, his 100th blog. Considered among if not the best photographer in his field, Mr. Bohrer has spent decades recording American Revolution reenactments. Thank you Ken for your skill and keen eyes from all of us at Revolutionary War Journal.
It’s hard to believe this is my 100th blog post! When I started, I worried about running out of topics to write about each month. But the opposite happened—now I have so much to share that I post twice a month, on the 1st and 15th. Thanks to you, my readers, for making this endeavor possible! Today, my website has welcomed over 150,000 visitors, and it’s growing expeditiously. I’m genuinely grateful.
Last year at this time, the Museum of the American Revolution hosted Occupied Philadelphia, an immersive event that explored the fall of 1777 when Philadelphia—the Revolutionary capital—was seized by the British and occupied for nine long months. My favorite photo of 2024, here, came from that experience.
This year’s event, shown below, shifted focus to 1775, a time of mounting tension and uncertainty. It highlighted the lives of ordinary people navigating the turbulence of Revolutionary Philadelphia. Once again, the Museum of the American Revolution brought history to life with vivid storytelling and interactive experiences, making it feel as if you were walking the streets of a city on the brink of revolution.
“By 1775, Philadelphia is home to 30,000 British subjects of King George III. These people hail from all over the world. Each one of them has their own perspective on the events of the day. For some, this new rebellion is the culmination of years of resistance. For others, it is a horrifying spectacle of chaos that threatens their work, their family, and their faith.
One of the best things about being in a city—especially Philadelphia—is the endless photo opportunities. My train ride from the suburbs took about 30 minutes. As soon as I stepped out of the station and began walking toward the Museum of the American Revolution, I couldn’t resist stopping and finding different opportunities along the way.
A photographer is constantly scanning the world for something compelling to photograph. Usually, it takes me about 15 minutes to walk to the museum, but this time, my constant stopping slowed me down—I arrived much later than planned because I kept finding subjects that demanded attention.
One image in particular stood out: a door covered in locks. My first thought was, Why so many? And then I noticed their condition—rusted, worn, and full of character. In post-processing, using ON1 Software, I applied filters to give the photo a nostalgic feel. That brings me to a question I’ve seen debated on photography forums: With today’s advanced cameras and editing tools, are photographers becoming more like artists?
After reflecting on my own work, I think so. I’m not always trying to capture a scene exactly as it is—I’m aiming to create something visually appealing, something that evokes emotion. This lock photo looks very different from the original shot, but I love the final version. It feels like art.
In this photo, I applied one of the key rules of photography—framing. Framing is about deciding what to include and exclude in your shot to guide the viewer’s attention, often using natural or artificial elements to create boundaries. Here, I used the cordwainer (who makes shoes) forearms to form a rough inverted V shape, with the hands positioned close together near the center of the image as they work on a leather shoe.
This composition naturally draws the eye to the stitching process at the center, making it the focal point. It’s always exciting to visualize an image in your mind and then bring that vision to life through careful framing.
One of the joys of attending American Revolution reenactment events and festivals is that I’m always learning something new. And I’m not alone—spectators often meet reenactors (living historians) who are eager to share their knowledge of the colonial period. This photo captures the excitement of discovery and makes me smile every time I see it!
Luck plays a significant role in photography. As I was heading out to catch the train home, I spotted this reenactor about 20 yards away, walking toward me alongside Carpenter’s Hall. I snapped several shots. Still, this one is my favorite—it instantly takes me back to visits to Colonial Williamsburg with the cobblestone streets, brick buildings, and picket fence. It was my last photo of the day, and that’s what makes photography so exciting: the unexpected moments you never see coming.
Click here for here for Revolutionary Philadelphia 1775 2025 Photo Gallery.
Thank you for reading! Blog #101 will be posted on December 15, 2025. Be safe & well!
Huzzah,
Ken Bohrer