Vintage Photo: Flying Machine

Posted on by Rebecca C.

Working on a series of black and white negatives, I came across this photo. My curiosity immediately went into overdrive. I would love to know the history surrounding this moment. I am assuming these gentlemen are working on a flying machine. Obviously, I do not know the exact details.

In my opinion, the three men standing in front of a balloon are the ones who work on the flying machine. Now, the three men standing toward the right of the photo reminds me of investors into the project.  What do you think? Does anyone have any input into the photo?

Until next time….peace

Vintage Photo: Checking Time

Posted on by Rebecca C.

“A man who dares to waste one hour of time has not discovered the value of life.”
― Charles Darwin
The Life & Letters of Charles Darwin

I love working with old photos. I am always picking up negatives or slides from estate sales, eBay or local garage sales. Knowing my passion, friends and family members bring me boxes of old photos. Turning an unknown photo into a digital print is my own personal way to time travel. I get a small glimpse into the everyday lives of the average person.
Titling this photo, “Checking Time” I wish I knew their story. I would like to think one of these gentlemen are about to get married. The other three are showing him the time until he is considered a married man. I obviously have no idea about the photo. I wish I did. The negative from the print was in the same batch as some wedding photos.

Who knows? Maybe someday, a person out there in cyber-land will identify one photo.

Until next time…..peace

Abandonment

Posted on by Rebecca C.

Living in a rural community, I often view houses and other structures giving away to natural decay. I understand as estates go on the market, local farmers take the opportunity to purchase the large pieces of land. The extra acres allows for the planting of additional crops which in turn increases profits.

Even with the knowledge, I find the state of abandonment both sad and inspiriting. Imagining the previous owners through the decades, my curiosity always turns to stories. The farm houses make me think about large families surviving through the Michigan changing seasons. Other large grand estates make me wonder about holiday parties or fancy affairs. The deteriorating estates are still bringing a sense of worth through my own creative musings.

Margot & Boys

Posted on by Rebecca C.

The photo reads Nordhäuser Straße, my German is limited. I do use Google translate for the rest. But I believe this is in reference to a road in Erfurt. If I am wrong, I apologize.

The writing on the back continues to read:

“Hi, this is the town my uncle lives in in E. Germany. He met us at the station July 10. We are all well-seeing many scars of the war years and taking many pictures. All the houses are of stucco-no wooden framed ones. My uncle’s house is very nice—modern and a few bullet holes outside from the war years. Will write again. Margot & Boys.”

I wish I knew more about Margot and her boys. I am enjoying this last bunch of photos and negatives. I find everything interesting with a slight hint of mystery. I am hoping to learn more as I finish this series of photos.

Until next time…peace

Oh! This Car

Posted on by Rebecca C.

As I work through these photos, there is always one or two items I would love. This beautiful car is one of them. I cannot tell you, the year or the model. I just know I love the old style.

The back of the photo reads “one of Edna’s”. Does that mean she had more than one car? During that time frame, women did not really own too many vehicles. The fact that she may have had more than one makes me wonder if the photos came from a family with wealth. Maybe I will find the answers one day.

Until next time…..peace

Old Negatives

Posted on by Rebecca C.

As I work through some of these recent negatives, I am completely intrigued by the people who are in each frame. The outer envelope reads the photos belonged to “Lois Oakman” from “No. Quincy, Mass.” I absolutely love this photo that I am sharing. I do not know the story of the photo. Noticing the door is ajar, I would like to think she is going on a vacation or perhaps her honeymoon.

I admit I get lost in these old negatives. I find the photos to be inspiring. I use them to as a stepping stone for my writing. Perhaps, some day I will actually be able to speak to someone who knows the real stories of the photos.

Until next time….peace….

Pretend to Be a Time Traveler Day

Posted on by Rebecca C.

Today, December 8, 2015, is “Pretend to Be a Time Traveler Day”.  Who has not thought about living in a different time, either past or future? I think, this is why I love old photos so much. I get a glimpse of time forgotten. Times not recorded in history books. Just everyday life being experienced by everyday people.

On a Train?
I have always loved this picture, I imagine him asking her to marry. I know, I am a hopeless romantic.
Working on a Plane
Working a plane?
Nurses
Nurses on vacation.
Military
Boarding a ship.
Hotel Federal
A hotel in a warm climate. Maybe someone went on their honeymoon.
x1
Just enjoying the outdoors
x5
Playing at a park

 

 

x4
Just relaxing

 

So if you had a chance to time travel, where would you go?

Until next time….peace

30 Days of Thanks- Days 19 & 20-History & Vintage Negatives

Posted on by Rebecca C.

For the last two days, I have been lost in old negatives.

So, today, I will play catch up on my days of thanks. I am thankful for my love of history and vintage photography. When I receive a box of new negatives, I tend to get lost in the faces and places which is why I am behind on my Days of Thanks challenge. I love the old photos; the small glimpses into the past. I wish I had more knowledge of places.  If I knew local geographically places better, I could possibly identify some of the photos.

I thought, I would share a couple of my recent finds. I cannot wait until I get through the entire box.

I do not know for sure if the photo is a father and daughter. But I like to guess.
I do not know for sure if the photo is a father and daughter. But I like to think, they were out enjoy the day together.

Have a great night.

Until next time…peace

 

30 Days of Thanks-Days 15 & 16- Photography & Software

Posted on by Rebecca C.

I am going to combine days 15 and 16 in the 30 Days of Thanks Challenge. For the last two days I have been working on photos for clients. Honestly, I am still in the process of finishing a project which is due tomorrow morning. I just needed to take a break from editing for a minute.

Day 15

First I would like to say I am thankful for digital photography. I mean, I started working with film. I was recently at a workshop and one of the young attendees did not know what the black 35mm film canister was. Yup, I felt really….old.

To add to the feeling of being old, I tried to explain the first camera I received. The first camera I ever used in a creative manner was given to me by my grandfather. The camera took 126 film cartridges. At the time, the camera was considered to be an older model. I was twelve; I thought I had everything with that old camera. Needless to say, digital photography is better in so many ways. However, I do still miss the film process.

Day 16

Along with digital photography, I love my photo software. Actually if you would have been in my house today, you would have caught me telling the program “That is not what I wanted to do”. Because, the program has a clear vision of what is in my mind. (Ha! Ha!). But at least with the program, I can save pictures that are not exactly the image I had wanted for my client.

Until next time…peace