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Please see the most recent updates in the "Where did the .com name go?" thread. Posts number 16 and 17.
'Captured: The Color Landscape Of The Depression Era'
- Thread starter Panther_99FS
- Start date
Hey All,
In my opinion...
As a group the photographers of the FSA (Farm Security Administration) and OWI (Office of War Information) are the greatest group of photographers America has ever seen. Thank You FDR for putting these people to the task of documenting one of the most difficult periods in American history. They had great subject material to work with and the support to produce great photography.
As an aside these photographers produced about 1600 colour photos as compared to around 164,000 black and white.
-Ed-
In my opinion...
As a group the photographers of the FSA (Farm Security Administration) and OWI (Office of War Information) are the greatest group of photographers America has ever seen. Thank You FDR for putting these people to the task of documenting one of the most difficult periods in American history. They had great subject material to work with and the support to produce great photography.
As an aside these photographers produced about 1600 colour photos as compared to around 164,000 black and white.
-Ed-
Interesting. Paid particular interest to the city traffic in the larger cities. Times were slow during that depression. In ways the traffic or busy-ness in the cities and industries lend somewhat of a comparison as to what we are seeing now in this one.
With the color in those photos many of the scenes look like current scenes of today except for the vehicles.
With the color in those photos many of the scenes look like current scenes of today except for the vehicles.
brad kaste
Charter Member
"With the color in those photos many of the scenes look like current scenes of today except for the vehicles."
The color was either Etachrome or Kodachrome (don't remember which one) slide film that gave those rich tones and vibrancy. Photo #8 is one that's pure nostalgia,...the fragrant burning of Fall leaves. Try doing that today in your community.......
The color was either Etachrome or Kodachrome (don't remember which one) slide film that gave those rich tones and vibrancy. Photo #8 is one that's pure nostalgia,...the fragrant burning of Fall leaves. Try doing that today in your community.......
aeromed202
SOH-CM-2014
Magnificent pictures, thanks. It would be really neat to make a slide show starting with altered B&W versions of these as they are usually seen, grainy, some spots and tears, etc, then fade to these wonderful color ones. For me it helps make a connection to the reality of that time.
#32. Shasta dam under construction. Is not too far from home. Been inside Shasta way back in the day when people could drive a cross it with out passing a back ground and having it guard by guys with M-16s. Plus you could take pics in side of the dam.
/was the days....
/was the days....
Panther_99FS
Retired SOH Administrator
[/SUB]Boy, do these bring back memories - I can remember some things from the late 50s, when I would have been 5 or 6 - about 10 years after these photos were taken, but many of the signs such as you saw on the main street shops were still around in Detroit when I was a kid. So were the buildings, and, best of all, the people were around too, complete with their attitudes and opinions. No Woody Allens back then. All politically incorrect now. With Nov 11 right around the corner these photos, all taken during WWII and many during the American participation in that war, can't help but bring to mind the men who left these places to fight and never to return. Now you can see what they were fighting so hard to protect.
Not many cars in some of the city photos (the photo of Detroit comes to mind) because there was gas rationing and rubber rationing during WWII, so a lot of people car pooled or rode the train or trolley (my mother did). The railroad boxcars were 40 ft long and of wooden construction. Lots of cities in America at that time had cable cars, just like San Francisco - we called them trolleys or street railways, though. Sometimes they were called the Interurban, too.
People and places, and a country, fondly remembered and greatly missed.
Not many cars in some of the city photos (the photo of Detroit comes to mind) because there was gas rationing and rubber rationing during WWII, so a lot of people car pooled or rode the train or trolley (my mother did). The railroad boxcars were 40 ft long and of wooden construction. Lots of cities in America at that time had cable cars, just like San Francisco - we called them trolleys or street railways, though. Sometimes they were called the Interurban, too.
People and places, and a country, fondly remembered and greatly missed.