A collection that dates from the early 1840s, to the turn of the century. The video runs for 6 minutes and has interesting black and white photos from the period covering aspects of everyday life, as well as featuring some historical figures. (Only one photo has been colourised)
America
American Life In Photos: 1930s-1940s
Another selection of carefully colourised photos from those two decades. The video runs for 8 minutes and includes 40 photos.
The Great Depression. Colourised Photos
Most of us are familiar with the many haunting photos taken during the Great Depression in America. We might also have read ‘The Grapes of Wrath’, or seen the film adaptation. I found this 7-minute video on You Tube that uses colourisation techniques to revisit many photos of the period, making the people in them seem familiar.
Diane Arbus: A Controversial Life
Diane Arbus is one of the most influential photographers of the twentieth century. Born in New York City, she was working as a fashion photographer before she began to pursue an artistic career. Arbus made portraits of people from across society, but is best known for her powerful images of people whose situation or choices in life kept them on the margins of society – such as circus and freak show performers, transsexuals, nudists or the mentally handicapped. It is easy to see how she was inspired by her mentor, Lisette Model.
She committed suicide in 1971, at the age of 48.
All photos are © Diane Arbus/The Estate of Diane Arbus LLC
The ‘Jewish Giant’ with his parents.
Two Photos
My friend Antony sent me this.
Make sure you view picture 1 carefully before viewing 2.
A truly remarkable incident proving again, you ain’t gonna, go until you’re actually wanted!
This is an interesting, even breathtaking couple of photos.
Be sure to read the 1st caption below the picture before going to the 2nd photo.
Look closely at the first photo take your time, then scroll down very slowly.
Look at the picture above and you can see where this driver
Broke through the guardrail, on the right side of the culvert,
Where the people are standing on the road, pointing….
The pick-up was traveling about 75 mph from right to left
When it crashed through the guardrail.
It flipped end-over-end and bounced off and across the culvert outlet,
And landed right-side up on the left side of the culvert,
Facing the opposite direction from which the driver was traveling.
The 22-year-old driver and his 18-year-old passenger
Were unhurt except for minor cuts and bruises.
Just outside Flagstaff, AZ, on U.S. Hwy 100.
Now, look at the second picture below…
Some More Random Historical Photos
Summer 1941. “Detroit, Michigan. Girls playing cards and drinking Coca-Cola.”
Photo by Arthur Siegel for the Office of War Information. This was part of a set showing these girls playing ‘Strip Poker’. As it was commissioned by the War Office, I can only presume it was intended to increase the morale of the troops. Even though it was before Pearl Harbour.
This lady is taking no chances. Having seen the sign, she is removing her high-heeled shoes. America, 1950s
A young woman seeing if a dress will fit her. London, 1960s.
An underage boy smoking in the street. Scotland, 1968.
Female drinkers in a Glasgow pub, 1960s.
A very trendy fashion model showing off the famous ‘Egg Chair’. 1960s.
An underground train passenger noticing the photographer. London, 1980s.
Excitable girls on an underground train. London, 1980s.
A man down on his luck, hoping to get money by selling matches. London, 1984.
Happy Thanksgiving 2022
Sunday Musings In A ‘Heatwave’ July
Today sees the start of increasing temperatures that are forecast to give us the second ‘heatwave’ (by UK standards) of 2022. We are expecting 32-33C (90-92F) by midweek, with hot and humid nights. For me, this means taking Ollie out much earlier, to spare him the afternoon heat, and sleeping on top of the bed in front of a large pedestal fan. No rain is forecast, so that at least will keep me cheerful.
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For anyone still remotely interested, (and I do not blame you if you are not) my driving licence has still not been received. So I am continuing to drive on a technically ‘expired’ licence, and if stopped, I will look forward to a day in court exposing the complete shambles that is the DVLA here.
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There is no news that does not concern who will replace Boris Johnson as Prime Minister. So for me this is of no interest. Whoever replaces him will still be hitting the poor, the working class, and the unions. Trampling on hard-won rights and working conditions, and laughing at those struggling to get by. Also trying to dismantle our beloved NHS, and continuing to sell off its services to private companies based in America. In short, I hate them all, with a vengeance. So I will hate whoever they choose, for as long as I am still alive. (That hatred is real, not a choice of words.)
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I’m struggling to think of anything postive for these musings, to be honest. But we are looking forward to our 7-day holiday in September. Although in England, and only 90 miles from Beetley, it gives us a change of scene next to a beach, and we can take Ollie with us.
Everyone on Earth needs something to look forward to, and this holiday is what I look forward to, humble though it may be.
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More shootings in America since I was last here. My one observation is that those ‘brave gun owners’, that ‘good man with a gun’, much lauded by the NRA, appeared to be too scared to fire back at the Chicago shooter. Why am I not surprised about that? Taking selfies in front of your 200+ gun collection is very different to having the guts to fire back.
That ‘brave man with a gun’ is just a coward with a gun. They all are, that is why they own guns. The are scared, but they are also too scared to use them when it matters. Cowards.
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That’s about it for the 10th of July. I hope you have a stress-free Sunday, wherever you are, and whatever you are doing.
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