mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

It really depends how much detail you and those with you want to hear. When I was last there a few years before the pandemic, I hired a personal guide for 4 hours. It was expensive but worth every penny to me. However, we got into a level of detail that would be far beyond the interest of most people visiting there.

CaltechNerd Loc: Whittier, CA, USA

This isn't about photos, but.
You really need to go to the museum and sit through the presentation where they have a big model of the battle field and lights showing the movement/slaughter of the various military groups. It really brings the meaning of Gettysburg home.

JFCoupe Loc: Kent, Washington

I was at Gettysburg last November, cool and overcast. A few ideas to share:

1. There are many attractions at the visitor center, so schedule 2-3 hours for just being there.
2. The total area is significant so to see everything it is really an all day site to visit. (0r more)
3. Take at least a 24 mm lens or zoom lens on the wide end and at least a mid-range telephoto. on the long end.
4. Think about taking some panorama images as well as close up images of details.
5. There are many statues in the park and often they are white stone,in my memory, so you may want to consider bracketing exposures and merging them in post or do it in camera if you can.

There is a sense of spirituality while there that will linger with you. Also, the sense of loss at how so many young people were lost in battle and Civil War.

CaltechNerd Loc: Whittier, CA, USA

The dedications on the statues are interesting. The South "knew" that the immigrants in the North would never support the Civil War. But the Irish saw slavery as akin to their treatment by the British occupiers of Ireland. Notice how many of the statues commemorate Irish units.

rbest77701

We were there a few years ago in October. I got up and did a sunrise shoot along Confederate Way, I believe, which was pretty nice. Then we did a Ghost Tour walk thru downtown that we thought was pretty cool.

bbradford Loc: Wake Forest NC

I loved it there so much I spent 3 months there in my motor home after I retired. The photo opps there are amazing. My best suggestion is shoot only in the magic hours. It makes it even more stunning and a little eerie.

therwol Loc: USA

160,000 Irish fought for the Union Army. 20,000 fought for the Confederate army. In some movie I saw, Irish were getting off of the boats in NY and "joined" the Union army on the spot. This is how they were "welcomed" to America.

RetCapt Loc: NorCal mountains

Very long time reader, just registered. But I could not pass up on this one.

My wife and I spent three days at Gettysburg in 1990. We started with the presentation at the visitor center, then a tour. The rest of the time we were on our own, but we had been well prepared.

This was still the film era, but I took countless photographs, two of which ended up winning awards. Now, knowing so much more, and with the advantages of digital, I would love to go back. But we are at the opposite end of the country.

I would recommend three days if at all possible, to allow for (hopefully) total immersion. Each day we got more and more immersed in the significance of this sacred ground. As this immersion increased my photographs grew more moody and introspective, because being there for any time just takes one over.

I am not a superstitious person. But I did feel the presence of the spirits there. I had never had that feeling at any historical site before or since. But at Gettysburg they are waiting for us.

It is indeed hallowed ground. It is for us to respect and revere it.

It should be an emotional experience for you. If so, count yourself as privileged; you have been allowed in by those gatekeepers.

Judy795

What’s really fun for teens is a very tame horseback ride through the battlefields. Each rider has an audio headset so they can hear the commentary. Google and call Artillery Ridge stables as soon as you know you want to do this as they fill up.

CaltechNerd Loc: Whittier, CA, USA

You've described the experience perfectly. Given a little time, you can feel the significance of what happened, the sacrifices made, the lives lost, and the turning point for the cause of the United States. I'm still overheled. even in memory.

Rokko Loc: Minneapolis

"The way I understood it, Pickett protested against that "charge", which was more of a suicide walk. He followed orders and never forgave Lee for what happened to his men."

According to Ken Burns, the Union soldiers chanted "Fredericksburg, Fredericksburg" as they shot the Confederates.

Paybacks are hell.

Hamltnblue Loc: Springfield PA

one great pic is just outside Gettysburg. It’s the Sachs’s covered bridge. Early in the morning you can get great reflections from pumping station road bridge. The bridge was used by each side during the battle and was crossed during the south’s retreat.

Unfortunately little round top is closed right now. The battlefield around it are going through a lengthy renovation.

nealbralley Loc: Kansas

Union forces did similar frontal assault during the Battle of Cold Harbor in Virginia, 1864. Many, many casualties in a very short period of time.

niteman3d Loc: South Central Pennsylvania, USA

We're only twenty minutes away and haven't been there in years, which needs to be corrected. The visitor center/museum is a good place to start. I've always recommended the licensed guides, but a web search tells me that has become pretty expensive. There are still quite a variety of ways to do it with the self guided audio tour in your own vehicle being the least expensive option, walking tours and bus tours. Little Roundtop is closed for construction. There is also the Eisenhower farm tour if that would be of interest. Try to make it to the National Cemetary. Not enough time to read the whole thread, but it looks like you've gotten a lot of good advice. Enjoy your visit!

DaveyDitzer Loc: Western PA

Dean, I talked with another very careful driver who experienced the same thing. Sometimes after a long dry spell the road accumulates debris - oil, bits of rubber, etc. The first rainfall makes the surface act the way you describe. Sorry, but I've "driven" off topic.