My brother, Dennis has been helping me with my scanning project. He's used Photoshop to bring back to life so many of our precious family photos. He's done a magical job with our mother's family photos and now I'm working on Art's family (both father and mother's side).
I was looking at this one photo of Art's grandparents. It was probably taken around 1916 at a Big Island sugar plantation housing and thoroughly captivated me.
It was probably taken by a traveling photographer who went from camp to camp taking photos for families. The baby would be Art's mom.
I was commenting to Dennis that this photographer totally goofed with the placement of the backdrop. You can see that the black cloth was hung from some kind of line and didn't quite hide the door with the latch in the back and yet, it all adds to the charm.
Dennis noted that formal photos these days can take out every single imperfection. We can easily remove any detail in the photo background or the people that aren't picture perfect. (Heck, we can even make the people lose weight. No kidding!) However, it takes away the history and story. All the photos are pretty, but 50 years from now, you're missing a lot of the clues to the past.
It's something to think about.
what a wonderful project. photos say so much in different ways-their clothing, expressions and just the setting. really makes history come alive!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great photo! I didn't even notice the curtain hanging by a string until you mentioned it. I was so busy looking at Art's Grandmothers outfit-really pretty!
ReplyDeleteSuch a fun project! And I have enjoyed following both you and Art's families! Really delightful! Have a wonderful weekend, Kay!
ReplyDeleteSylvia
What a wonderful photo of Art's grandparents and mother. And Art makes an excellent point about modern photos erasing details that give clues to the historical background of a photo. I hadn't thought of that, but it's true.
ReplyDeleteThis photo of Art's grandparents is a treasure. I agree about photos being too perfect these days. I'm a big fan of candid shots showing people looking like themselves.
ReplyDeleteSuch a treasure, Kay. Formal photos in the old days weren't always what-you-see-is-what-you-get, either. The negatives were large, therefore the photographer could remove imperfections. They were always black and white, but the photographer could hand-tint the prints.
ReplyDeleteI agree, however, this photo of Art's grandparents and his mother as a baby is made all the more charming by the backdrop being out of place, etc.
Dennis is doing a great job for you. Priceless.
-- Kay, Alberta
Because of these little imperfections i find old pictures very charming.This one is a classic !People in old pictures are always so well dressed .The hair ,the hat and those traditional slippers -i like them all.The frame you've added is a good choice (is it from photo shop).
ReplyDeleteThey are so solemn, as if they know that posterity is looking at them.
ReplyDeleteI have pictures like that of my mother's Santa Barbara family taken at about the same time.
Notice how nobody ever smiled for the camera back then? Nowadays, if someone doesn't smile for the camera, he or she is accused of being miserable.
ReplyDeleteHi, Kay. What a nice post and, the photo is beautiful. I love old photos.
ReplyDeleteI came by, just to say hello and see how you’re doing. I hope you had a splendid week!
Have a fabulous weekend!
that's some photo, Kay, historical to say the least.
ReplyDeleteTom has started a huge project, too, of scanning old family photos. Getting your picture taken way back then was a big deal and everyone was looking their best. That's a great photo.
ReplyDeleteNow with Photo Shop and advancements, you can't tell what's real and what's not. We just recently added a person into our family picnic photo. He was gone when we took the first one, and another couple had to leave by the time we took the second photo with him in it, so since it was the same setting, we just photo shopped him into the one where he was missing. But the photo doesn't tell that story. that would have to be recorded.
I love this photo! And you're right, we really shouldn't clean them all up. That means Thom's "Muffed Photo Meme" is a good thing! LOL!
ReplyDeleteI love Dennis's insight. The photo is beautiful! Years ago I used to collect old portraits from flea markets and eBay; they're compelling even when the person is a stranger.
ReplyDeleteThe photo is truly priceless.
ReplyDeleteAnd your point is well taken.