This photograph is taken from a batch of family photos that once belonged to my great-uncle Albert. The subject may be him - or, more likely, his son-in-law - but it is the composition that stands out. It's a brilliant photo from almost a century ago: whatever your starting point, your eyes are taken on … Continue reading On The Shore
Tag: Old Photographs
A Ride In A Car
A car stands outside a back street shop. This is such an unusual sight that a crowd gathers and everyone is keen to be included in the photograph. A boy sits in the car radiating excitement. A girl sits alongside him, confident in the fact that this will be the first of many such journeys. … Continue reading A Ride In A Car
Crosby And Cocktails
My father posed with one of his prized possessions - a radiogram (indeed a stereogram as it had two speakers). The radio would give you access to everything from the Light Programme to the Home Service, and even Radio Luxembourg on a clear evening. The record player had a select collection of LPs by Bing … Continue reading Crosby And Cocktails
Found, Preserved And Shared
This photograph, taken 100 years ago in Andermatt, Switzerland, perfectly illustrates the joy of Found Photographs. The ability of a handful of grey and sepia tones to capture an age and tell a story is, as always, astonishing. Such lost and forgotten works of art deserve finding, preserving and sharing.
A Sepia Milestone
Sixteen years ago, as a bit of a joke, I started a on-line weekly forum for sharing old photographs called Sepia Saturday. Over the years, it has brought together people from all over the world who love to share old photographs from their collections. This week is our 800th Sepia Saturday, and my contribution is … Continue reading A Sepia Milestone
Found Magic
This is another of those "Found Photographs" that inhabit old photo albums of unknown people in unknown places. Part faded and part stained sepia with age, it measured no more than 3 by 2 inches. Nevertheless, it is a work of art that could justify a place in many an art gallery. Zoom in on … Continue reading Found Magic
I Wonder
I wonder what they were thinking when they stood there and had their photographs taken 120 or 130 years ago? Perhaps they were thinking of the bride and groom, or maybe the wedding breakfast they were about to enjoy. I bet they weren't thinking that in over a century's time people from all over the … Continue reading I Wonder
Sitting On The Dock
This rather strange hybrid of a photograph and colourful daubing emerged from an archaeological dig conducted on the top shelf of one of the bookshelves in my room. If I created it, I have no memory of doing so. The woman in the photograph is my mother, and the man - Uncle Charlie - a … Continue reading Sitting On The Dock
Four Girls In A Boat
A random dip into my overflowing box of "Found Photographs" comes up with a strange little print. Badly faded, creased and torn, it nevertheless provides a fascinating insight into a world long gone. Do a high-resolution scan and you can lose yourself in a Mandelbrot set of absorbing images.