Nice to see that they are cleaning up so well. If someone like you doesn't take the time these snippets of history are destined to be lost forever. Great photos Mac.
They did the same thing to the one you sent me (Dewey Arch). Too bad about that one. It was a bit overdecorated, as was the fashion of that time, but impressive.
It's great that photography was invented. Pictures are actually worth more than a thousand words, because many things simply cannot be visualized from reading words. Previous to photography was the Romantic school of painting (realism), with works of artists such as John Constable. However the paintings would take a long time to complete, and they were still interpretations of the artist as to what was actual. Having photographs to look at is viewing actual history, not an interpretation. I never tire of looking at vintage photographs, especially of places I have been able to recognize from my youth (but no longer exist) and also to be able to see what has replaced what was there previously.
Yep. According to what I read about it, the last pieces of it (statuary and such) that had been taken to various museums were all tossed out by the mid 1920's. They were considered to be ephemera and were not preserved. That's what makes contemporary photos of it so valuable. All traces of the original were long gone by the time any of us were born.
I've worked off-and-on putting together an e-book regarding the "experience" of viewing "Color as Black and White". That sounds like an anomaly, but if one thinks about, with the exception of colorblind individuals, we view the world in color, thus raising (for me anyway) the question, "what is it about seeing a color world rendered in black and white that makes it so effective?"
I'm going to find my book pages and see if I can post them in an article here -- maybe it will generate some discussion.
Here's the introduction page to my e-book (yet unfinished) if there's interest, I'll post other pages; if not, no problem.
Copyrights/A. Macarthur/A.G. All Rights Reserved
Image Ego
In Outdoor & Nature Photography
Image Alter Ego
ColorExperienced as Black & White & Shades of Gray
Introduction & Intent
My intent here is to offer the reader/viewer an interactive experience the interaction being between the reader/viewer and him/herself. This hopefully will be evoked via perception differences generated by looking at pairs of images that is, the same image seen in full color adjacent to its black and white counterpart.
Im no psychologist but Im confident based on what Ive read, and, what Ive personally experienced looking at many thousands of images over time, that colors in imagery have psychological and emotional impact, and, so do images that lack color, that is, images in black and white and shades of gray the impact being quite different. In my opinion, the most significant difference between an image in full color (its Ego) and, its black and white Image Alter-Ego as I have named it, is thus;
A full color image is analogous to a fully-clothed woman perhaps wearing makeup, while that same image in black and white and shades of gray, can and often will, reveal the womans bare and ultimate essence.
I reiterate this is my opinion and, the viewers opinion (if any), may not, and need not, coincide with mine! Still, Im confident as one goes through the image pairs the Image Ego (its full color origin), and, its Alter-Ego (its black and white counter part), theyll not just look different from one another, but may also feel and be perceived differently as well!
As you may have expected, I, for one, appreciate your posting your efforts about colour/B&W. The only thing I see missing from it is the occasional 'u'.
The "most recent" of the Magic Lantern slides among the those I have, was taken in 1920!
I think Magic Lantern slides more-or-less ceased to be made around 1930. I'll check that and let you know what I find.
In the spring, summer and fall, I search yard/garage sales for all forms of slides -- including 35mm; and while you'd think they'd be a fairly regular item, I have yet to find any. I guess families put them in a drawer or closet and forget them, are sentimental and don't part with them, or, when clearing out estates, simply trash them.
And yet, I have this fear that, were I to come across a thousand or so, they'd be all family photos, or, vacation-type-subjects WITH NO CAPTIONS ON THE SLIDE MOUNTS. But if they were in good enough shape to scan, If the price was right, I'd likely buy them, take a chance and do the research.
LOL. You're right. My family wouldn't part with their slides, even if they never use them again. I can see how families would think they had no sales value though.
I have an image from the Magic Lantern era. It's of an elephant in the Rose Parade. I found it online last year when I was researching for my book on Selig Zoo. Apparently, Selig Zoo either used Magic Lanterns as gifts or sold them in their shops, or perhaps both. That was the first time I heard of Magic Lanterns.
BTW, about your photo of people at the beach. If you look, the women are wearing full dress length bathing suits. Some of them were designed to wear with petticoats underneath.They used to have police officers on the beaches that would measure the length of the skirt. If he decided the skirt was too short, they were arrested for indecency.
Those were made from wool or other heavy materials and had small weights in the hems to keep the skirts from floating in the water. They got so heavy when wet, that the weight would drag a woman underwater and they'd drown. They also were susceptible to getting caught in the tides and swept out to sea. But hey, at least they maintained their modesty while they died.
At some beaches, they took pity on the women and sunk poles with ropes attached so the women could hang onto the ropes as a preventative measure.
Note: All of the Architecture (Neoclassical style) at the 1904 World's Fair was demolished at the end of the Fair.
What a friggin' waste (IMO).
Nice to see that they are cleaning up so well. If someone like you doesn't take the time these snippets of history are destined to be lost forever. Great photos Mac.
Mac,
They did the same thing to the one you sent me (Dewey Arch). Too bad about that one. It was a bit overdecorated, as was the fashion of that time, but impressive.
These restorations were relatively easy some are difficult some hopeless.
TTGA,
I believe the Dewey Arch in Madison Square, New York began to fall apart in just a year or two and was probably eventually demolished.
It's great that photography was invented. Pictures are actually worth more than a thousand words, because many things simply cannot be visualized from reading words. Previous to photography was the Romantic school of painting (realism), with works of artists such as John Constable. However the paintings would take a long time to complete, and they were still interpretations of the artist as to what was actual. Having photographs to look at is viewing actual history, not an interpretation. I never tire of looking at vintage photographs, especially of places I have been able to recognize from my youth (but no longer exist) and also to be able to see what has replaced what was there previously.
Romantic Realism/idealism especially the Hudson River School (19th C. America) versions are my all-time favorites.
Yep. According to what I read about it, the last pieces of it (statuary and such) that had been taken to various museums were all tossed out by the mid 1920's. They were considered to be ephemera and were not preserved. That's what makes contemporary photos of it so valuable. All traces of the original were long gone by the time any of us were born.
You have done a splendid job, Mac.
Old black and whites fascinate me. Your renderings seem to capture all the detail which get lost in colors.
Maybe it is just my colorblindness speaking, but B&W details seem toappear so much crisper.
Good job.
Hopefully A.Mac won't resent it if I refer Al-316 to an article I posted a long time ago comparing the use of B&W with colour in certain situations:
Buzz, I slipped over to the article which you link.
Thanks for highlighting it for me. It was a work of art, pun intended.
Buzz,
I'm happy to have all input -- and your work is especially welcomed.
Al-316,
I've worked off-and-on putting together an e-book regarding the "experience" of viewing "Color as Black and White". That sounds like an anomaly, but if one thinks about, with the exception of colorblind individuals, we view the world in color, thus raising (for me anyway) the question, "what is it about seeing a color world rendered in black and white that makes it so effective?"
I'm going to find my book pages and see if I can post them in an article here -- maybe it will generate some discussion.
Here's the introduction page to my e-book (yet unfinished) if there's interest, I'll post other pages; if not, no problem.
Copyrights/A. Macarthur/A.G. All Rights Reserved
Image Ego
In Outdoor & Nature Photography
Image Alter Ego
Color Experienced as Black & White & Shades of Gray
Introduction & Intent
My intent here is to offer the reader/viewer an interactive experience the interaction being between the reader/viewer and him/herself. This hopefully will be evoked via perception differences generated by looking at pairs of images that is, the same image seen in full color adjacent to its black and white counterpart.
Im no psychologist but Im confident based on what Ive read, and, what Ive personally experienced looking at many thousands of images over time, that colors in imagery have psychological and emotional impact, and, so do images that lack color, that is, images in black and white and shades of gray the impact being quite different. In my opinion, the most significant difference between an image in full color (its Ego) and, its black and white Image Alter-Ego as I have named it, is thus;
A full color image is analogous to a fully-clothed woman perhaps wearing makeup, while that same image in black and white and shades of gray, can and often will, reveal the womans bare and ultimate essence.
I reiterate this is my opinion and, the viewers opinion (if any), may not, and need not, coincide with mine! Still, Im confident as one goes through the image pairs the Image Ego (its full color origin), and, its Alter-Ego (its black and white counter part), theyll not just look different from one another, but may also feel and be perceived differently as well!
I think this is absolutely true, Mac.
As you may have expected, I, for one, appreciate your posting your efforts about colour/B&W. The only thing I see missing from it is the occasional 'u'.
I ugree, Buzz,euery wurd should haue aut leust une "u".
But bluck and whute wuudn't make sense.
But coloUr does.
yUp!
Stup ! Nuw !
Fut chunce.
I know I'll never find another Ewe.
Ewe win.
Fuzzy lugic ...
Fur Shur.
A. Muc, you aru tuo funny.
Great photos and a good job, Mac.
Do you have any from the 1939 Expo at Treasure Island? I'd love to see them if you do.
Loretta,
The "most recent" of the Magic Lantern slides among the those I have, was taken in 1920!
I think Magic Lantern slides more-or-less ceased to be made around 1930. I'll check that and let you know what I find.
In the spring, summer and fall, I search yard/garage sales for all forms of slides -- including 35mm; and while you'd think they'd be a fairly regular item, I have yet to find any. I guess families put them in a drawer or closet and forget them, are sentimental and don't part with them, or, when clearing out estates, simply trash them.
And yet, I have this fear that, were I to come across a thousand or so, they'd be all family photos, or, vacation-type-subjects WITH NO CAPTIONS ON THE SLIDE MOUNTS. But if they were in good enough shape to scan, If the price was right, I'd likely buy them, take a chance and do the research.
LOL. You're right. My family wouldn't part with their slides, even if they never use them again. I can see how families would think they had no sales value though.
I have an image from the Magic Lantern era. It's of an elephant in the Rose Parade. I found it online last year when I was researching for my book on Selig Zoo. Apparently, Selig Zoo either used Magic Lanterns as gifts or sold them in their shops, or perhaps both. That was the first time I heard of Magic Lanterns.
BTW, about your photo of people at the beach. If you look, the women are wearing full dress length bathing suits. Some of them were designed to wear with petticoats underneath.They used to have police officers on the beaches that would measure the length of the skirt. If he decided the skirt was too short, they were arrested for indecency.
Those were made from wool or other heavy materials and had small weights in the hems to keep the skirts from floating in the water. They got so heavy when wet, that the weight would drag a woman underwater and they'd drown. They also were susceptible to getting caught in the tides and swept out to sea. But hey, at least they maintained their modesty while they died.
At some beaches, they took pity on the women and sunk poles with ropes attached so the women could hang onto the ropes as a preventative measure.