The Magic of Old Images (Part 2)

Welcome to part 2 of The Magic of Old Images! (You can check out part 1 here.)

The Magic of Old Images is a new series that introduces modern audiences to what I consider the most beautiful early photos ever taken. The period I chose to focus on spans about a century, from the mid-1800s to mid-1900s.

Today, I have five more images to share with you. Interested in learning more about each one? The source is included. Just click the link and you are good to go!

NB: The images in my series are all in the public domain. However, when it comes to commercial use, some museums and cultural institutions require specific permission. That is why photos are not always included in my posts...

As a reminder, "commercial use" means that something is used directly or indirectly for monetary gain. The images you include in your Vocal or (monetized) Medium stories fall under that rule. Make sure that you have full permission from photographers / artists to use their work.

Temple of Jupiter Olympius (James Robertson)

Photo credit: The Cleveland Museum of Art

Date: c. 1853

Location: Greece

Photographer: James Robertson (1813–1888)

Process: albumen print

Source: The Cleveland Museum of Art

English photographer James Robertson (1813–1888) is remembered for his Orientalist images. He was one of the first war photographers, as well as a gem and coin engraver.

The Apache (Edward Sheriff Curtis)

Date: c. 1907–1930

Location: United States

Photographer: Edward S. Curtis (1868–1952)

Process: photogravure

Source: Smithonian Institute

Photographer and ethnologist Edward Sheriff Curtis documented the American West and Native American people. His most famous images include “The Mussel Gatherer,” “Princess Angeline,” and “The Clam Digger”.

The Mussel Gatherer (Edward Sheriff Curtis)

Date: c. 1907–1930

Location: United States

Photographer: Edward S. Curtis (1868–1952)

Process: photogravure

Source: Smithonian Institute

This is one of Curtis’s most famous images. (Information about Curtis can be found under the preceding image in this list.)

Ferry Boat — Tyne (James William Coleby)

Date: c. 1900

Location: England

Photographer: James William Coleby

Process: quarter plate glass negative of photograph

Source: Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums

No information is available about this photographer.

Main entrance, Gary W. Va. Mine (Lewis Wickes Hine)

Full title: National Child Labor Committee. №72. Main entrance, Gary W. Va. Mine. Drivers and miners going to work 7 A.M. stay underground until 5:30 P.M. (LOC)

Date: 1908

Location: United States

Photographer: Lewis Wickes Hine (1874–1940)

Process: photography print

Source: Library of Congress

American sociologist and photographer Lewis Wickes Hine worked for the National Child Labor Committee. His images helped bring about the passage of the first child labor laws in the U.S.

Hine also documented the work of the Red Cross in Europe (WWI) and in the American South (Great Depression); as well as the construction of the Empire State Building through the eyes of its workers.

The Reminigram

The Reminigram is a type of digital image I invented in 2015 to pay homage to the early days of photography, while taking advantage of modern technology.

People have been very curious about the Reminigram, asking me to reveal the process. I will do so in a future post. In the meantime, you can check out some of my images by clicking the link below.

That’s it for today! What is your favorite image in the list? Feel free to share your thoughts with me on Twitter. I'm @haiku_shack.

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This post was originally published on Medium.