As well as taking photographs, I am also asked to restore, copy, or have reprints done of older photos, sometimes childhood photos, sometimes of loved ones, and even pets, who are no longer with us. Unfortunately, many of the people who come to me I am unable to help because of the strict Copyright rules.
A while back I had the complete pleasure of restoring a photo for Mildred. When she first showed it to me the hair on the back of my neck stood up, and I have to admit looking at it today has had the same effect on me again. It is a fantastic photograph in its own right, but the story behind it is rather special too.
It was taken by a newspaper photographer in Ramsgate, England, after the Dunkirk Evacuation. It shows soldiers reaching through a train’s windows and receiving gifts from the local residents.
Not only is it a superbly composed photo in what must have been a very hectic day for the photographer, but the only man in the photo wearing a helmet was from Banbridge. Friends of his parents who lived in the Ramsgate area spotted the photo in the paper and sent a copy to the Banbridge family. The photo was then gifted to the town’s British Legion. I can only guess at how emotional it must have been for this man’s parents to see their son like this.
He was Mildred’s father in law. She borrowed the original photo from the Legion to have me scan, restore, and reprint it.
I thought today would be a good day to share this one with you. It is one of my all time favourite photographs.
I could chat on to you about how important photographs are, how we ought to document our times, how it is more important to take the photos NOW when your children have no front teeth than it is to wait until they grow in, how it doesn’t matter what camera you use so long as you press a shutter, don’t tell yourself that you have to wait until that weight drops off . .. Do you think times will change so much that society will not share photographs (rather than any other media) in another 70 years having passed them down the line to our grandchildren?
I’ll leave you with the thought that you don’t need to be a newspaper photographer, or a professional with a studio, or someone with the latest technology. YOU are the one in your family who will take the most important photos in your life.
You see my favourites here, I would love to see yours too. Would you take the time to send me your favourite photos, with an explanation of why they are so important to you? I will create a special place on here for all the photos I receive.
In the meantime. . . get the camera out!
