In pictures: Vivid WWII re-enactments caught on camera
- Published
Over the past four years filmmaker and photographer Robert Bridgens has been working with World War II re-enactment enthusiasts across the country to bring soldiers' wartime experiences back to life.
The Maidstone-based photographer wants his pictures to look as authentic as possible and uses computer editing software to re-create the look of slide film from the period.
Mr Bridgens said: "It's a little bit like the old Kodak Kodachrome colours but I would say I've been influenced by cinema a little bit and I've tried to make it more cinematic and grungy."
The majority of his photographs focus on the re-enactment of German WWII troop movements but he has also captured Allied soldiers in mock battles on camera too.
He said taking part in the re-enactments was the closest he would ever get to being a real war correspondent and he hoped his pictures reflected the harsh reality of life as a WWII soldier.
Mr Bridgens said the enthusiasts were able to produce authentic WWII re-enactments because many of the participants had mastered cooking and gunsmith skills of the period.
He added: "There are all these little dioramas which have got nothing to do with the actual battle side of things and to me that's what I'd like to document. It's the side of things which is less Hollywood and I think would be more like what their day-to-day life would be."
Tony Haywood, one of the re-enactors featured in the pictures, said they enjoyed having Mr Bridgens involved in their events.
He added: "Rob's a very valued member of our team and we really appreciate what he does for us. He blends into the background most of the time, he's very good at that."
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