In this episode of Boom Goes the History, historians Tim Smith and Garry Adelman dive into the powerful world of Civil War photography at Gettysburg. This isn’t about how to take a better photo—it’s about the men behind the camera and the haunting, iconic images they left behind.

From the work of Alexander Gardner to Mathew Brady, we explore how these early photographers documented the aftermath of battle, shaped public perception of the war, and created some of the most enduring images in American history. What’s real, what’s staged, and what stories do those famous photos actually tell?

It’s a fascinating, sometimes surprising look at Gettysburg—not as you walk it, but as the world first saw it. History, storytelling, and a few myth-busting moments along the way… boom!