Saturday, December 18, 2010

Sepia Saturday 54 : Season's Greetings To The Empty Chairs


I was looking for something Christmassy for this week's Sepia Saturday but none of the photographic albums passed down by my father or my Uncle Frank contain anything suitable. The reason, I suppose, is that back in the 1930s, except for the keen amateur, photography was a summertime occupation : and the reason for this, of course, was the light. In the days before the rapid-fire electronic flashgun, flash photography was the preserve of the brave - and to an extent, the rich - and therefore natural lighting (a.k.a. daylight) was the order of the day. And whilst it was relatively easy to grab your Box Brownie and tempt people to pose when they were sat on deckchairs enjoying the summer sun in Weston-Super-Mare, it was a greater challenge when the rain, sleet or snow was falling from battleship-grey skies. And so we will just have to imagine what their Christmas Days and their Boxing Days were like, we will have to use our mental Photoshop to paint in Christmas trees and mince pies.

The photograph comes from Uncle Frank's collection and shows (from left to right) : Auntie Miriam, her father and mother in law, and her sister in law (I really must check their details out on Ancestry) The vacant chair on the left no doubt belonged to the photographer, Uncle Frank. So seasons greetings to all, especially to the unsung heroes of Sepia Saturday, those folk of the empty chairs, the photographers.


16 comments:

  1. I'm trying very hard to imagine the Christmas tree and mince pies!

    You have a wonderful collection of old photos! It's like having a tiny window on the past, through which we are privileged to be allowed to take a peek. Thank you for sharing your window.

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  2. You are so right about not have the light inside in the early days. I had not thought about that. Any photos I have from way back are all outside or in a studio. All the blessings of Christmas to you and your family Alan.
    QMM

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  3. I can imagine Auntie Miriam adopting the same pose, in an easy chair, following Christmas lunch.

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  4. many businesses and individuals on this side of the pond like to have christmas in july so your summertime photo is a perfect fit!

    folk of the empty chair! guess i'd be a member of that tribe!!

    sweet!

    happy holidays.

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  5. Another member of the empty chair tribe here! Then again, I hardly ever take pictures of people, so I may not be considered "missing" in that regard. Heh, heh!

    And season's greetings back to you Alan.

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  6. Anonymous2:06 PM

    Alan,
    They look very relaxed and seem to be enjoying themselves. You do have quite the sepia colllection.
    I forget when Boxing Day is... please do tell...
    :) The Bach
    Lord Thomas of Wellington

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  7. Quite an array of expressions on those faces in those chairs! Exactly why we too have no Christmas photos and even limited day time ones of ancestors.

    Enjoy a very happy holiday time! Merry Christmas, is that politically correct--well I'm saying it anyway! :)

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  8. Happy Christmas to you, Alan! And to all those you love and hold dear.

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  9. Your aunt seems to be the happiest of the bunch..and the one with the most personality. Her mother-in-law doesn't exactly seem happy to be there at all! ha.

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  10. I never thought about it but yes, I have no christmas photos from years ago other than the ones taken sitting on Santa's knee. Professionally shot of course. No problems with light here!

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  11. me thinks the mother-in-law is not quite comfortable in that chair...
    :D~
    HUGZ

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  12. smiles...happy holidays alan...empty chairs it seems do symbolize the holidays

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  13. Look At All Those People in The Background! I Wonder where they were going?

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  14. Aunt Miriam is truly basking! Fine picture!

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  15. Such a wonderfully, dare I say it, odd photo. Beach chairs, full dress, and a wandering crowd. Very proper. Wonderfully British. Love it!

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  16. They do truly look like they are having a good time and on a vacation. Mince pie is my favorite.

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