The Valley of the Shadow of Death

Photograph of a ravine which is littered with cannon balls fired from the Russian defences. Fenton photographed this ravine to the south-east of Sebastopol on 24 April 1855. Filled with shot from Russian defences, his photograph demonstrates the bare terrain in which battles such as Balaklava were fought. It was difficult to set up, as 'it was plain that the line of fire was upon the very spot I had chosen'. Fenton had to move 100 yards from his chosen point to avoid the cannon fire, but 'After this no more came near, though plenty passed on each side'.