Uploads from Evening*

Maybelle we did meet...

nobody@flickr.com (Evening*) — Fri, 17 May 2013 18:54:32 -0700

Evening* posted a photo:

Gosh, ages ago I was a different person...well, not entirely different but in another place...long story. I find and am found by old photographs and sometimes I share that conversation here, or try to at the very least.

There is this will I have to use old ambrotypes to make cyan prints....and this was the first one that I ever did (about two years ago now I suppose). I kept this sunprint private for a long time, as I did once my passion for old photos in general, but I've no reason not to let it go by now.

Smokey Lace once said she thought of me as an ambrotype (versus a dag or a tintype or a cdv...) and bless her soul I ~do~ think she is right.

This was the very first cyanotype that I made from an ambrotype and I was surprised to see a sort of ghostly image over her shoulder...so I've always thought of this as "Maybelle's Ghost"...It's printed on a 3x5 index card, probably not the best of choices, but I find that the surface works rather well, for me at least anyway...

Relative

nobody@flickr.com (Evening*) — Mon, 06 May 2013 18:47:41 -0700

Evening* posted a photo:

Unidentifed ambrotype....

There are mothers and fathers and then there’s a child, and that’s just the start of things. Because then there’s sisters and brothers and aunts and uncles and grandma and grandpa then tune in...There might even be a family pet but then I’d be getting ahead of myself because maybe first I should pay homage to great aunts and uncles and the closest of kin, which if you were catholic would include godparents just the same....then there are the cousins...the first one twice removed and the third one, the second one who had a half sister who’s mother was might have been a godparent to your step-cousin’s maternal cousin’s half cousin’s aunt...there’s even a thing called double cousins but I don’t want to get into that....the can of worms that can be opened is mind boggling...even my one sister sibling’s relationship might possibly be so much more confusing were she a half sibling or a quarter sibling or even “cross” or “adoptive” or “foster”...and let’s not get into kissing cousins and black sheep...Just a few weeks back I ran into a familiar face, an acquaintance, at my great aunt’s funeral, turns out he’s been a long adopted member of a not well known to me side of the family...All is pretty close to one it sometimes seems to be. And I haven’t even mentioned friends. I suppose one could go on and on, through friends and family, starting from the stranger on the street and find some sort of blessed relation, some sort of reason or “excuse” for loving one another...I guess I’m just saying you may never know who the person next to you might be, but most likely their not just someone else’s sibling, but most likely they are part of your own family, if only because you mean something to one another.

The Window Atop the Tower...(Warrior Princess)

nobody@flickr.com (Evening*) — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 16:17:58 -0700

Evening* posted a photo:

Tintype from H. J. Reed's New Photograph Rooms, No. 222 Main Street (opposite Pinkham's Dry Goods Store) Worcester, Mass.

Rescued on a Rainy Day

nobody@flickr.com (Evening*) — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 17:43:44 -0700

Evening* posted a photo:

Last friday was cold and wet and windy, and I had to go to work in Newport, a city by the sea...so it was even more so classically miserable as far as that sort of weather goes in New England. But it was a short day, in fact I left with time to spare before shops would close their doors and it gave me a chance to visit some antique stores that I don't often frequent on the east side of the bay. I struck out at a few locations, and met some rather pretentious people....the world of antiques draws some pretty peculiar characters...in one shop I was snuffed at after having asked about early photos, only to have the dealer later brag about the fortunes he'd made on certain old photographs...so which is it buddy? They are the interest of fools or the fortunes you made off of the foolish? Anyhow, blah blah blah, what I was after, am always after, is just a good, solid image that somehow sort of moves me. I found this a little way up the street in Bristol. At first he said he didn't have any old cased images, but then he reconsidered and found a lovely ratty old tintype photo of a grumpy child that I wish I could have taken home but for the fact that it was in an old union case that was exceptionally nice. I quipped that I'd pay for the image rather than the case if he would part with it...no sale. But I think that it was made clear to him that I was a collector of imagery and not your average particular fellow, so he rooted for a bit in some boxes in the back and came up with this "poor thing" as he called it. This ambrotype had no case, the brasswork was separated and pressed flat in an envelope alongside this piece of grungy glass...I said, I'll give you ten bucks for that, no tax...and off we went, the two of us, both of us feeling "rescued" on a rainy day.

What struck me right away was her scarf. It's been a positively, wrongfully oh mother nature, too long winter too late spring sort of April around these parts. I've been wearing my winter scarf much longer than I should be (in fact I'm wearing it as I type). So there is that whole sort of thing, which I won't type too much about....Otherwise, well, she's a lovely lady with lovely eyes and lovely straight hair and a collar that stands out against her black garb and points down towards a cameo always curious....and, of course, her hands stood out to me...as I've said often before I'm fond of hands and the way they fold or gesture. She's wearing a pinky ring.....

That's all...good night...

Unidientified ambrotype (c. 1855) found in Bristol, Rhode Island.

Rattlings

nobody@flickr.com (Evening*) — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 17:00:17 -0700

Evening* posted a photo:

Ambrotype

Little Blue Angel Wings

nobody@flickr.com (Evening*) — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 16:03:05 -0700

Evening* posted a photo:

Unidentified, umarked, sixth plate daguerreotype c.1850.

With thoughts of my great aunt Bertha Isabelle (Morgan) Logan (1926-2013) whom we buried last week past. Bertha was the last of the "elder" generation that I was closest too. She was the daughter and namesake of Bertha Anne (Rayhill) Morgan...whom I've spoken of here before. The skies are finally warm and springlike here in little old Rhode Island, and the blue sky warmth of spring is ~too~ a sort of pair of angel wings for the spirits of the living!

Butcher's Boy

nobody@flickr.com (Evening*) — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 16:48:41 -0700

Evening* posted a photo:

Butcher, Boy. Not “Butcher’s Boy”.

I found this photo over a year ago, it must be at least that by now, and It’s been in my mind often even though I keep it buried in the box...some things just are that way. At first my mind spoke the obvious as my eyes walked across the picture: Butcher....Boy....it could have just been that...but I was reminded of an American folksong from the early English tradition known as “The Butcher’s Boy” or “The Waggoner’s Lad” and probably some other titles were I to wica-google-pedia it....The version of that song that I know best comes from a compilation by Harry Smith that was published by Folkways back in the 1950’s. I stumbled across a copy of it at a yard sale in my youth back when I was beginning my addiction to the sounds of fiddles and banjos and such. I’ve a tender spot for sad old ballads, partially because they tickle my love for the past but mostly because they so directly deal with the struggles of the human experience, albeit in a most tragic way! I suppose most of us know how the days can be just fine and then one morning it all just changes in a heartbeat. The ballad concerns a young women who hangs herself upon realizing that her true love has rejected her...she asks that a white dove be placed above her grave to let all know that she died for love.... Over the years I’ve heard many renditions of this performed by friends around a campfire.

So, there’s that....but I also think of my own dear father who, as a child in Providence, rode on the back of a produce vendor’s cart through the streets of that city. So strange to think of horse drawn carts as late as the 1950’s. In the tougher neighborhoods he would be asked to sit on the tail of the cart holding a long knife to frighten off would be thieves....strange to picture my father doing that.

Anyhow. I guess it’s just a photograph of a butcher and a child, but these are the things that I was made to think of quite immediately just as soon as I laid eyes upon it....and they are things I’ve been carrying about ever since...now I am releasing them.

Here is Buelle Kazee playing “The Butcher’s Boy”, the version that rings in my head...
archive.org/details/Butcher

Camera Shy

nobody@flickr.com (Evening*) — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 04:57:28 -0700

Evening* posted a photo:

Unidentified 9th plate Ambrotype found in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.

I Want To Show You a Picture...

nobody@flickr.com (Evening*) — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 15:28:45 -0800

Evening* posted a photo:

Tintype.

For all my Early Photo sharing friends on flickr...Thank you! Thank you for sharing your pictures...

Patience...

nobody@flickr.com (Evening*) — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 15:55:54 -0800

Evening* posted a photo:

Sixth plate Ambrotype taken 24 November, 1859.

Lilian Gish in "Birth of a Nation" (1915)

nobody@flickr.com (Evening*) — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 20:33:42 -0800

Evening* posted a photo:

Not Griffith's greatest film by a long stretch...I'm guessing it's only remembered because of the enduring controversy surrounding it. But the gist of it is: it wasn't an easy birth...

~You~

nobody@flickr.com (Evening*) — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 16:59:17 -0800

Evening* posted a photo:

I carry a picture of you.
I carry a picture of you always.
Wherever I go,
a reminder,
a companion,
a heart.

Unidentified Daguerreotype, plate marked J.P. c.1850 France...

~Message from Above~

nobody@flickr.com (Evening*) — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 20:25:17 -0800

Evening* posted a photo:

There's a message, but maybe not like this. It might be something else, something from closer...it might be even touching you. At the very least be on the lookout...for good words, for good thoughts, for good touch, for good feeling...be on the lookout for good....because it may just well be the best. There is one thing time cannot undo, and that's the power of ~ . I'm not sure that was in that book, or in any book, but I'm pretty sure we should be thinking about the futures we are writing....I sense they will be quite beautiful. ~so say the stars~

Unidentified ambrotype. (Posted with strong feelings for JC...the best...)

Peaceful little tintype

nobody@flickr.com (Evening*) — Tue, 25 Dec 2012 07:13:34 -0800

Evening* posted a photo:

Happy holidays everyone! And peace to all...

Something of a Memory

nobody@flickr.com (Evening*) — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 18:55:07 -0800

Evening* posted a photo:

I guess there would be nothing of a reminder if it wasn't for this, so I guess that will just have to do...and if I'm lucky there are some that will find that precious or at least a wee bit touching...I suppose that someone did or I wouldn't be here on flickr. At the very least, I hope you'll like my bangs, or the line of my lips or the spark in my eyes or...something...
:-)

Unidentified CDV from the studio of S.B.Brown of 207 Westminster Street (Providence, Rhode Island)

For Carole Anne and Curly (of Arkansas!)

nobody@flickr.com (Evening*) — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 21:20:36 -0800

Evening* posted a photo:

~old forever friends~
...how could I ever thank you...

Unidentified ninth plate daguerreotype...

Feather in my Cap

nobody@flickr.com (Evening*) — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 04:59:26 -0800

Evening* posted a photo:

Ambrotype

Zasu Pitts and Jane Novak in Lazybones (1925)

nobody@flickr.com (Evening*) — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 15:47:35 -0800

Evening* posted a photo:

Sorrow, intrigue, deception, sacrifice...edwardian morality and the faces of the Fanning Sisters on their buggy ride...Oh My!

Grandmother wise

nobody@flickr.com (Evening*) — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 04:58:25 -0800

Evening* posted a photo:

~Listen to her words when grandmother speaks and remember the things she tells you...~
Ellis Knight and grandmother, tinted albumen print c.1914, Scituate, Rhode Island.

When the holidays come about I often think of the fine ones I celebrated as a child and how important those moments were that I shared with my grandparents. I am reminded just how much I miss them...and just how much I carry their memory with me. I remember how on holidays we would take long walks in the woods, visiting the many places where we played: the grandfather tree, the orchard and the "big rock". I hope you all had as wonderful a weekend as I did. It was Thanksgiving here in America and for the first time in many years I did not spend it with my family, though I did spend it with others who though newer to my life are becoming also dear to my heart. I'm off to work this morning but I have so much to catch up on here on flickr! See you soon my friends!

Upon the depth of thee...

nobody@flickr.com (Evening*) — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 17:19:02 -0800

Evening* posted a photo:

Well...I have to say I think I thought and I knew I was wrong the moment I thought I would save this image for winter...but it is near enough...besides, there was a certain bonnet picture posted by Smokey Lace today that made me also long to post this.
(www.flickr.com/photos/smokeylacetintypes/8178422186/)

Of the thousands of photographs that I saw at the conference in Baltimore ~this~ was the only one I came home with, driven I suppose by a sort of impetuous need for a memory but also too just simply touched by the little tots in the picture. So I suppose it is a bit too early to post a picture to say to my flickr friends "Happy Winter"...but I'm going to do so anyhow, in fact I'm already doing it...done. Happy Winter my Flickr Friends!

There might just be a part of me that is driving my own thought sled towards the snowy, comfy, fireside days of winter early as I am certain this year around it is destined to be so much warmer. Those of you who know me well enough I am certain will understand just what I am saying...Winter days I've always enjoyed, the bundling upness, the hot drinks and heavy blankets, the sound of frosty gloves sizzling on the wood stove (if you're familiar with that?)...But this year I am ~particularly~ looking forward to a certain sort of cuddling, looking forward to a winter that I will not spend alone. I titled this from words by Emily Dickinson and I'll close it just the same..."snow beneath whose chilly softness" (I will keep warm with you..I love you Jen Corace...~xo~)