Patriotic mass photos of Arthur Mall during the First World War

Arthur Mole is an English professional photographer who became famous thanks to a series of "live photos" taken during the First World War. Tens of thousands of soldiers, reservists and other military personnel participated in his works, which were organized into massive compositions. Although when viewed from the ground, these masses of people seemed meaningless. But, having climbed the 25-meter tower, you could see various patriotic figures. The key is that the perspective lines are reduced to one place, and then clear images appear.

Together with his partner John Thomas (John Thomas) Mol traveled to many military bases throughout the United States during the First World War. Each time he came to a new place, he installed a camera on the top of a 25-meter tower and supervised the creation of colossal compositions of thousands of officers, soldiers, reservists and nurses.

1917. 18 thousand soldiers and officers formed the Statue of Liberty at Camp Dodge in the state Iowa.

During the troubled times of the First World War, these monumental images were intended to demonstrate to the masses a sense of unshakable national unity.

1918. 25 thousand soldiers and officers formed the Liberty Bell at Fort Dix, New Jersey.

It took at least a week to plan and shoot each such photo. Mol scanned the outlines of each composition through the camera lens and with the help of a megaphone and manual signals directed the assistants who were below. A few more hours were required to settle the bickering of thousands of participants. And only then could the trigger be pressed.

1918. 21 thousand soldiers and officers formed a portrait of Woodrow Wilson at Camp Sherman, state Ohio.

1918. 30,000 soldiers and officers formed the American shield at Camp Custer in Michigan.

1917. U.S. Naval Rifle Range, Camp Logan, Illinois.

1917. Sailors formed Allied flags at the US Navy Training Station in Pelham Bay, New York.

1918. Soldiers of the 164th Brigade formed a service flag at Fort Riley in Kansas.

1917. Soldiers and officers formed the logo of the YMCA (Youth Christian Association) at Camp Wheeler in Georgia.

1918. 12,5 thousand soldiers, officers and nurses formed the American Eagle at Camp Gordon in Georgia.

1918. 22.5 thousand soldiers and officers formed a machine gun with an eagle at Camp Hancock in Georgia.

1917. Soldiers and officers formed a Japanese flag at the US Navy training station in Illinois.

1917. Soldiers and officers formed the Union Jack at the US Navy training station in Illinois.

1917. Soldiers and officers formed an American flag at the US Navy training station in Illinois.