The photographs are great study material for today's photographers. Pay particular attention to the composition and content of each photo in this series.
There's a touch of mystery in the first photo. Why are these people crowded around the barn? What's going on? Who are they? Notice the balance in the image from right to left, it's very interesting. Two sets of "rule of thirds" on each side and a wagon in the center. But the line recedes from the couple on the right to the wagon in the middle to the people on the left. Our eye is drawn in and through the photo, up the silo and across into the crowded barn and back to the couple on the right. A complete circle.
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| Farm auction. Derby, Connecticut, September 1940. Reproduction from color slide. Photo by Jack Delano. Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress |
Breaking the rules: the front line of the tent (a horizon line of sorts) is not level. The top corner of the banner is deliberately not included in the photo. However, these elements work extremely well with the ropes and poles holding the tent and the lines in the graphics and signage. Lots of action in the lines of this photo make a very interesting and lively image. The photograph was taken from a low point of view (pov) adding power.
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| Barker at the grounds at the state fair. Rutland, Vermont, September 1941. Reproduction from color slide. Photo by Jack Delano. Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress |
The photographer used a magnificent play of light and shadow to grab our attention. The arcs of light draw us in to the center of the image. Notice the welder on the right side of the photo. The rule of thirds!
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| A welder who works in the round-house at the Chicago and Northwestern Railway Company's Proviso yard. Chicago, Illinois, December 1942. Reproduction from color slide. Photo by Jack Delano. Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress |
Here the entire scene is well balanced from the calendar and clock on the wall, to the way the women are seated around the table to the items spread out on the table. However, the photographer has made the image look casual and candid.
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| Women workers employed as wipers in the roundhouse having lunch in their rest room, Chicago and Northwest Railway Company. Clinton, Iowa, April 1943. Reproduction from color slide. Photo by Jack Delano. Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress |
The photographer gave this image a very powerful look by shooting at an upward angle giving his subject a very commanding appearance. Very commanding!
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| Mike Evans, a welder, at the rip tracks at Proviso yard of the Chicago and Northwest Railway Company. Chicago, Illinois, April 1943. Reproduction from color slide. Photo by Jack Delano. Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress |
All photos by Jack Delano
Hope you enjoy these images and photography tips!
30 comments:
It's fascinating looking at colour photos from such a long time ago. Thanks for sharing.
Awesome.
Enjoyed the transportation into another era, Mary.
Best wishes.
Joy always,
Susan
You took me back in time...
I loved these! Thanks for bringing me back in time, and for the lesson too!
These are some wonderful photographs Mari and I always look forward to your tips :)
Keep smiling:)
24x7Clicks
Glad you enjoyed!
I agree!
Glad you enjoyed!
I was born in 1946 - makes these extra interesting!
Hope the lessons are something you can use in your own lovely photography.
So happy you enjoy the tips!
I like the film-noir effect on the 4th photo, it's seems like a scene taken from a movie.
One can certainly tell that these were reproduced from slides. How wonderful that they have been so well preserved! This is a most interesting post, Mari! Thanks for sharing it with us!!!
They must have been preserved by the group that commissioned them - the Farm Security Admin.
A scary movie at that! But I love those lol.
So cool, I love these. Thank you.
These are National treasure Mari, thanks for sharing
They're all so full of life, colour and movement! It wouldn't have occurred to me to look at them more critically in order to learn from them - but now I can apply the photographic lessons you've elicited from them!!
Great photos and I like how you have explained how they work. I like the last one best. Reminds me of some soviet imagery of the invincible worker.
fascinating - and instructive!
Aloha from Waikiki;
Comfort Spiral
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Hi mari, you have great talent and did excellent reviews on all these vintage photos.
Very useful tips that I can share and learn. This part of your photography tutorials is rarely found in blogs… many thanks for that and have a wonderful weekend.
Your welcome - glad you enjoyed.
I agree!
I'm happy you enjoyed these.
I agree about the last photo.
Glad you enjoyed!
cookingvarieties has left a new comment on your post "Captured: America in Color from 1939-1943": Hi mari, you have great talent and did excellent reviews on all these vintage photos. Very useful tips that I can share and learn. This part of your photography tutorials is rarely found in blogs… many thanks for that and have a wonderful weekend.
Wan - I glad you enjoyed them!
I couldn’t have asked for a better blog. You happen to be always at hand to offer excellent guidance, going straight away to the point for easy understanding of your site visitors. You’re really a terrific pro in this subject matter. Many thanks for being there visitors like me.
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