James F. Gibson
James F. Gibson was probably the least known of the Civil War photographers. He, too, was born in New York City. He learned the art under Brady. Gibson eventually photographed Gen. McClellan's Peninsula Campaign, Seven Days Battles, Battle of Gaines' Mill, and Battle of Malvern Hill. He died in 1905.
Collodion (Wet Plate) photography had existed for around fifteen years at the time of the Civil War. Cameras were much larger than they are today. Taking pictures was a slow and complex process. Photographers would often follow armies into battle to get pictures of the battle scene. These included both newspaper and Army photographers. Portrait photographers would set up outside an encampment to photograph the soldiers. These would often be sent to loved ones as a memento. The photographing of soldiers became so popular, that in August 1864 Congress issued a $0.02 tax on each image to help pay for the Union war effort. The photographers would travel by horse and wagon to different locations.
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