People in pictures.

These three shots are very obviously not Kodachrome - I tried my darnedest to enhance/digitally restore them but this is as bright and vivid as I could get it - pathetic. I know. I'm ashamed. And pissed off. GBK (god bless Kodachrome...).

But I am pleased to have three shots of where Shepherd Street turns into White Horse Street (Look! The white horse in this photo is about to turn down White Horse Street! APROPOS!). This is one of the reasons I love snapshots and ephemeral photography - that frozen random moment. This guy on the left, shoved his misshaped hat on his head, went out into London in 1977 and bought a sandwich (truthfully, I don't know what that is in his hands, "sandwich" is my default) and got caught in this photo. Instantly immortal!

Man on the right, " Yes, maybe I should buy a trunk. Maybe I should just get on a ship and see the world."

Man on the left, "Oooooh get her!! Take me with you, ducky!"

Lone Lady, "I wish this was an Indian restaurant."

Guess what? She got her wish! Go on - take a google wander through Shepherd St. (and White Horse St. round the corner). You'll see the King's Arms is still pouring pints and slingin' crisps. Cheers, strangers!!


View Larger Map

UPDATE!! CRAZY UPDATE!!
 After studying Shepherd Street in detail yesterday, and doing a good wander via google maps, I realised that I've been INSIDE the King's Arms! In 2007, my soon-to-be husband and I checked in to the Park Lane hotel and after a long night of flying, went to wander the neighbourhood to find a pint and some lunch - we wandered into the King's Arms! Here's the picture I took from the upstairs window:

View on black for extra spooky coincidence!

 Now of all the pubs in London, of all the random slides I've bought - how could that happen?

Famous people visiting.

View larger on black

Sometimes you're at the right place at the right time, sometimes you aren't! Somebody out there knows who this visiting dignitary is - but we'll probably never know. The back of this ladies head is sure... uh... full of hair.

View larger on black

Hey! Is that the somewhat unfriendly stare of Bob Hope? Yes THE Bob Hope? Better get that camera out of my face, son.

View larger on black

 Ah! St. Patrick's Day in Dublin, 1977. Who do you suppose is in that gilded chariot? At least one man waved.

But no one is a bigger house guest than the Queen, whenever she comes by our place, I welcome her as best I know how: line up all my nurses for her to thoroughly inspect and hire street-loads of old ladies and young boys to wave at her. Same thing happened in June of 1962.

Nice gloomy Ektachrome day, even makes a bright yellow get-up look drab. Well done, your majesty!

Six days away? Where does the time go?

View larger on black

Busy busy busy but I won't abandon you! I'm not sure where this is - but I like it. Even if there's a kid in it, he's got nice red socks.

UPDATE! My detective friend Kim has located this as Fountain Square Cincinnati! Well done Kim! It's amazing how much the surrounding area has changed.



View Larger Map

Toffee Apples.

View larger on black

Just a quick one today, here's a fruit lady opposite the London Aquarium. Third-party developed Kodachrome from 1954. Doesn't that make you want to eat more fruits and vegetables? I worry about you - I want you to be healthy.

A Day To Be Afraid to Go Out In The Water.

View larger on black

 

 

View larger on black

Thinking of Japan today, and the currently unreachable relatives of my friend Arthur. Look forward to better days, hang in there baby. Top image taken March 1962, Kodachrome, bottom is Kodachrome from '58 to '61.

For the love of vintage colour.

This item is not in the Archive, but is a nice little video about someone who also loved colour and photography. I feel much the same way when I get to go through a new pile of slides - what will I find in this gift? This time capsule?

Now look at this, the parade that occurred in Quebec City, a little later that same day:



I think I'd rather be at the rowdy parade in Quebec! There is something about Bonhomme that makes me want to scream Beatlemaniacally.

There's no girl like a Lakenham girl.

View larger on black

Just a charmer today - I suspect these girls belong to Lakenham Girls Secondary Modern, but my limited knowledge of the strange and foreign schools format of Britain in those days means I could be totally wrong. What I do know is this slide is simply labeled "Lakenham". What a nice looking gang. Seems like quite a variety of ages too. Anyone recognize themselves here?

The Buck, and a gorgeous Silver Dawn (I thought).

View larger on black

Part of acquiring slides from Britain is you often get a glut of tourist destinations - Buckingham Palace being one of them. I have many photos of beefeaters and guardsmen and other guys with big hats of all shapes and sizes. I have a couple lovely one of the Queen herself, and others of crowds gathered for royal visits. I'm not a royalist, but I think Canadians appreciate the value of royalty a little better than the Brits do; I think the general population feels like they're burdened with the cost for their sumptuous lifestyles and we just see it as history (something we lack for ourselves so we cling on to our nation's ancestors). Brits always seem to have apocryphal stories of how a nation supports the royal brats - I don't always buy it. I think they're quick to forget how many people from the colonies (and former colonies) travel simply to see these historic buildings and vacation around and within these institutions. Not to mention the vast number of people who are employed by the monarchy and the tourism generated by a history of monarchy. Hey, I get the cons too - but there are a few pros.

But leaving that subject for another time - look at that sweet Rolls (I thought - but upon further study, it isn't. What is that car?!)! Great degradation on this slide too - this is from the same lot as Ashness Bridge and Battersea. What a score! I'll be posting more of these as we go.

Ansco Sky Blaze!

View larger on black

I really dig the crazy wear n' tear on these old Ansco Color slides. I haven't adjusted any colour or touched them up in any way. I think the subject matter is what is equally compelling on these. Such stark and barren scrubby nowhere-land. There's something very, I don't know, surreal - chemical - about these. Like acid visions.

Also in the same lot:

View larger on black

View larger on black

View larger on black

 

What a gang - what an outing in the country!

Chateau Frontenac, Quebec city.

View larger on black

Just a quickie today - Ferrous had to be rushed to the vet this afternoon for severe unhappiness, he's resting now, but we hope for happy blood-work results. Anyhoo - here's another from my Quebec set - this is the boardwalk that runs along side the lovely Chateau Frontenac. We'll be splurging for a night here since it seems like an irresistible place to overnight. Just one itty bitty night.