Yes, I'm back. For now. Expect more posts when summer is over.
I stumbled across these photos earlier today and I find myself strangely drawn to them. I spent almost 30 minutes studying the pictures in detail. I suspect a big part of the fascination has to do with the fact that these are color photos from a time period we almost always see in black and white (outside technicolor movies, of course, like The Wizard of Oz). In fact, as a kid I distinctly recall asking one of my grandparents when the world become "colored." Black and white photos are lovely. But I feel they often add a starkness or other-worldliness to photos which distracts from the underlying themes and moods of the moment. Not to mention, seeing these pictures in real color (and not that phony tinted crap used about 50 years prior) makes the subjects and the settings seem tangible, immediate, and much more human.
Here are a few things I noticed after looking at these pics today:
-- A complete lack of inorganic materials like plastic -- it's all paper, metal, stone, and wood
-- In most photos featuring children and/or families...many dresses are clearly handmade and cut from the same cloth; a lot of kids are without shoes (by choice, do you think, or circumstance?)
-- The African Americans seem to be better off than many of the white folks OR they just take better care with their appearance
-- The parents and the military guys look so young; the working folks look so old and haggard
-- Even the poorest families (I'm thinking of the New Mexico homesteader pics) seem to possess a quiet dignity. Look at the care with which the makeshift table has been set and how the whole family is sharing a meal together. Or the cheerful curtains on the windows.
-- Notice how clothes become more colorful the further the photos move from the Depression Era
-- I love to see the packs of children roaming about and exploring without constant adult supervision...no play dates here!
What things jumped out at you?
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I was just about to email and ask you start blogging again. Missed your posts!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing. I really enjoyed the photos :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a surprise! I was bored at work and making my way through Facebook and ended up here. I agree with you on the aspect of color. It brings a much different perspective to the era. The main theme(s) that comes out is a much SIMPLER life where the FAMILY was the center. The family was larger and grew their own vegetables. I DON"T REMEMBER SEEING ONE OVERWEIGHT PERSON! hmmm This was before industrialized food production and HFCS, and people were more active not in the "24hr Fitness" kinda of active, but raising the family, earning a living, etc.
ReplyDeleteI have also read many comments that Europe, in particular France was much more of an agricultural country prior to WWII. After seeing these photos, I would have to say that the US was too. However, agriculture is still quite part of the culture here in France.
Thanks for sharing. I thoroughly enjoyed it!