Our family room has a family wall — a wall dedicated to family photographs.
In the photos, the happy young in-love couple on the right happens to be my parents. This was their wedding photograph taken in July 1943. You can see my father’s in uniform. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1942 and served with General George Patton’s 3rd Army in Europe during World War II. They married before he shipped overseas. My mother made the wedding dress she’s wearing and my sister still has that very dress.
Both my parents have since passed away — my father in 1989 and my mother in 2008. Still, every time I walk past this wall I think of them and all the other family members I catch a glimpse of in the numerous family photos.
Stunning image! I like how you played with the DOF in this shot. And, the story of your parents beginning to married life brought up tears. I can see the smiles on their faces. Wish young people today had those same views and commitments to marriage. It looks like a great wall to stand in front of and look back in time. Of course, we’d want you there adding shorts stories to the images. Thanks for sharing, again.
Monte, thank-you. I believe we all have interesting stories to share. When family generations use to live together the stories of the elders often got passed down to younger generations. That tie is often broken now and so a lot of out stories and family history is lost these days — I think that’s a terrible loss.
I know there are many question I’d love to be able to ask my parents and grandparents now about their lives. Questions that might shed some light on my own.
I agree with Monte, especially the part about “looking back in time”. And what a great photographic series you have going here. I can honestly say that such an idea would never have occurred to me.
Thanks Paul. I’ve had fun with this series and restricting myself to one room in the house has made for an interesting creative exercise. It’s also worked out well as the weather here has been terrible this week. :-)
Excellent series, Earl, and this one is the at the top of the pile, for me. Of course, your stories do nothing but elevate an already great idea!
Paul, so far this is my favorite as well. Of course I have emotional attachment to this particular subject matter so I’m definitely biased. I appreciate the kind words and hope you’re having a good weekend.
A beautiful family photo for all times, but also an excellent composition and careful use of focus to achieve your goal. One fine picture!
Hi Don, thanks for taking the time to stop by and for your kind comments.
Earl, I closely followed your systematic approaches to your chosen topics, and it got me reconsidering my own, currently more photographic endeavours. Maybe it’s time for a change.
“The Family Photo Wall” I enjoy very much, for the lighting and even more for the falloff in sharpness to the background. Very effective, and clearly supported by the positive emanation of the loving couple (I was looking up the net if “loving couple” is a suitable expression here – still not shure)
Markus, this “systematic approach” to topics is something new I’m trying now. I’m wanting to force myself outside my comfort zones and see how I can react creatively under many different topics and restrictions. I’d like to be learn to be more naturally versatile in my creative thinking and have that carry over into my photography. So far I’ve found this exercise to be both interesting and rewarding.
I believe “loving couple” is a proper and fit description in this case. They certainly did love each other and were very good parents. Thanks and have a wonderful weekend!
Besides photography, we have something else in common. My father also served with Patton’s 3rd Army. 4th Armored Division, CCA. Great image.
Chris, That’s interesting about you father. Mine was a member of the 808th Tank Destroyer (TD) Battalion which was assigned to a number of different divisions within the 3rd Army. When German Armor or fortified position were encountered they’d temporary assign TD Battalions to help take it out.
My dad was in a recon battalion, which ran around in jeeps ahead of the tanks so they could find those fortified positions before the tanks stumbled upon them.
You know, WWII was probably the last war to ever be fought as a theater campaign, maneuvering troops in this way. Now we set back and let smart weapons take out most of the strategic opposition and then use troops to mop up, hold and pacify — not that that’s an easy job.
I REALLY love this image. It’s so well crafted. The lighting really makes it, as others have commented. It’s great seeing the people so young, vibrant and alive. Everyone should have a wall like this.
Thanks, Bob, I appreciate your kind comments. I usually think of my parents from the perspective of them being older then me, so this photo of them young is a good reminder that they too experienced those things of youth.
Hope you have a great Super Bowl Sunday!
perfect mood