I have long loved to sift through old photographs in estate sales and flea markets. When I was in high school I used to frame them and hang them in my room, imagining their lives, weaving stories. So much history, with so many questions surrounding one photograph. Or so many answers, depending on how you look at it.
Thus, in the Internet age, I was thrilled to discover Square America and The Found Photo to name a few vernacular photography sites. Having not perused either site in awhile I was thrilled and pleased to pick up at my local library Who We Were: A Snapshot History of America by the guys at Square America!
Many photos I recognized from the website, but others were new to me. Congrats to this awesome team, on an incredible book!
And next time you rummage through a flea market or basement bin of old pictures buy a couple. You're holding someones history in your hands...
I love old photos too. Old photos always give me an urge to write ... I guess it's the people silently crying out for someone anyone to listen to their stories!
Posted by: Lola-Dawn | February 17, 2009 at 01:49 PM
Thanks for the photography site links. I had heard of the book you recommend, and now you've provided the nudge I needed to order it!!
Posted by: Tara | February 18, 2009 at 08:46 AM