Living Photographs: Independence Day
Above are some of the breathtaking 'living photographs' choreographed and created by British-born American photographer Arthur Mole. Mole's photographs incorporated thousands of men forming complex shapes including flags, the Liberty Bell, and an American Bald Eagle as well as divisional and regimental logos for units like the US Marine Corps and the 1st Division.
The photographs included upto 30,000 men and were taken from tall towers where Mole could get a clear shot and also compose the shapes he wanted (often calling through a megaphone or signaling with flags).
In honour of American Independence Day the above are a collection of Mole's most patriotic photographs. Taken between 1917 and 1920 Mole took advantage of the hundreds of thousands of men called up during the First World War composing his photographs at major US Army camps like Camp Dix and Camp Custer. The first photograph of the US shield pictures some 30,000 men while the Liberty Bell photograph is made up of 25,000 carefully placed troops. Photographs on an amazing scale, which even today would be difficult to create.