Afghan War via Tintype
Tintype pictures (also melainotype and ferrotype) was an old photography technique popular in the 19th century. It took a direct positive on a sheet of iron metal that is blackened by painting, lacquering or enamelling. These were the Polaroid pictures of the Civil War, and could go from posing to picture in your hand in just a few minutes.
LOC picture 2010650257 “Two unidentified soldiers in Union shell jackets and forage caps with cartridge pouches, cap boxes, and bayonet scabbards; one soldier in Company C 85th regiment cap; other soldier has holstered pepperbox revolver”
Well, a CANG Staff Sgt in Afghanistan who is an amateur tintypist, took classic military poses of his fellow airmen for posterity. They are believed to be the first tintype made in a combat zone since the Civil War.
Photo by SSGT Ed Drew, USAF/CANG