The Denver Post published a portfolio of color photos of America taken between 1939 and 1943 when color photos were rare.
----- Denver Post--Captured America
Thanks Ladida
I thought that the colour pictures would reveal a more grey reality, but what a vivid and colourful past...!
The quality of the colour pictures is also very well, but I can only compare to the rare WW II-colour pictures that were often taken in difficult circumstances...
It's amazing how much more relevant a color photograph can seem! It's easy to look at black and white photos and brush them off as relics of an ancient time, but these! These are as clear and vivid as photos today! It's great to be able to see that time period more akin to how my grandparents would have seen it. Thanks for sharing!
Another good source of early color photos is the National Geographic. I have several copies from the 1930s and 1940s, and they all contain color photos.
It is surprising how much the color quality of these early photos can be improved with Photoshop - the Auto Color command alone often works wonders.
I already downloaded these images a year ago or so. Just love them. Although they are social awareness pictures (like the ones from the 30's depression), I cannot deny that they evoke some Norht American nostalgia. Ah...those days of my grandparents... Oh, wait...I'm Belgian!
That's pretty amazing! And is it just me, or does the woman in number 66 remind you not a little of Rockwell's Rosie the Riveter? Actually, quite a lot of these make me think of Rockwell, I guess it's that American nostalgia Erik is on about...
is it just me or do many of these have a greater sense of 'depth' than most modern photos, color or otherwise? They almost remind me of those old viewmaster 3d thingies i had when i was a kid.
Amazing walk through the past! It is a start reminder that the "good old days" were sometimes anything but that. Hard times for our parents and grandparents. I got lost in the links provided at the end and went on to the Russian photographs. Wonderful!
I thought that the colour pictures would reveal a more grey reality, but what a vivid and colourful past...!
ReplyDeleteThe quality of the colour pictures is also very well, but I can only compare to the rare WW II-colour pictures that were often taken in difficult circumstances...
Agreed! It's interesting how our view of the past is literally coloured by the technology that was capturing it! Very cool!
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how much more relevant a color photograph can seem! It's easy to look at black and white photos and brush them off as relics of an ancient time, but these! These are as clear and vivid as photos today! It's great to be able to see that time period more akin to how my grandparents would have seen it. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI've seen some of these before, but it is nice to see such a big collection. The Library of Congress is a vast treasure house for images.
ReplyDeleteThey have posted all 1600 color photos on Flickr, too.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/library_of_congress/sets/72157603671370361/
Another good source of early color photos is the National Geographic. I have several copies from the 1930s and 1940s, and they all contain color photos.
ReplyDeleteIt is surprising how much the color quality of these early photos can be improved with Photoshop - the Auto Color command alone often works wonders.
This is really great. I'm always looking for images like this. Went to amazon and ordered the book. Can't Wait! THANKS Jim!
ReplyDeleteI already downloaded these images a year ago or so.
ReplyDeleteJust love them.
Although they are social awareness pictures (like the ones from the 30's depression), I cannot deny that they evoke some Norht American nostalgia.
Ah...those days of my grandparents...
Oh, wait...I'm Belgian!
That's pretty amazing! And is it just me, or does the woman in number 66 remind you not a little of Rockwell's Rosie the Riveter? Actually, quite a lot of these make me think of Rockwell, I guess it's that American nostalgia Erik is on about...
ReplyDeleteis it just me or do many of these have a greater sense of 'depth' than most modern photos, color or otherwise? They almost remind me of those old viewmaster 3d thingies i had when i was a kid.
ReplyDeleteAmazing walk through the past! It is a start reminder that the "good old days" were sometimes anything but that. Hard times for our parents and grandparents. I got lost in the links provided at the end and went on to the Russian photographs. Wonderful!
ReplyDelete