Wednesday 19 September 2012

Sepia Saturday 144 : 22 September 2012


My archive prompt this week is a little different, notable not for what is there, but for what isn't. In this case, a head. The photograph comes from the Library of Congress collection on Flickr Commons and shows a 12 year old boy working as a theatre usher in Birmingham Alabama. But it is the man on the right of the photograph I want to focus on, and in particular, his missing head. Now we all have old photographs like this in our collection : missing heads, missing feet, missing arms - perfect examples of the photographer as a decapitator. You might, of course, have boxes full of perfect old photos - not a missing limb in sight - in which case feel free to follow whichever prompt you like (convicts, boys, striped pyjamas) or no prompt at all. Just post your old image along with your new thoughts on or around Saturday 22 September and link it to the list below.

Here is a quick preview of the next two Sepia Saturday prompts for those who like to plan ahead.



But let us not get ahead of ourselves, for the moment let us concentrate on the missing head. Post your posts and don't forget to head off to look at all the other contributors to Sepia Saturday 144.




29 comments:

ScotSue said...

As I am unawre of any jailbirds in my family, I have focussed on the little boy. So here are other images of children in their Sunday best suits.

Postcardy said...

I'm glad you suggested a boy as the theme.

Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy said...

Hi! I am not on theme this week at all, and I'm not even sure who will want to wade through my whole post ... if you don't want to, just skip to the second part where the print is in brown (my own family). That being said, it is a very interesting chapter from Tin Pot Valley, though not Wilfred's usual amusing stuff. Tons of history on the Drain, Yoncalla and early Oregon writers.

Also, we are leaving early Friday morning, and will be gone for several days. I will try to do my best to catch up with all of you later on though.

Happy Sepia Saturday!

Kathy M.

Little Nell said...

Please stay with me for this week's post, and spare a moment to follow the links if you can. There are voices waiting to be heard.

Kristin said...

More than a headless photograph, I discovered where my father and uncle were in 1940.

Tattered and Lost said...

I have an urge to go through all of my photos and see what they'd look like with the heads cut off. Then again, maybe I'll just go with this reposting of some headless ladies.

Peter said...

No headless or limbless family pictures but I enjoyed this week's theme anyway. Hope you do as well but only after it is posted. And assuming it is finished by then I'll do that on Saturday 00.01 hrs local Amsterdam time (GMT +2).

Wendy said...

One criminal for your reading pleasure. Well, I hope it's pleasurable, anyway.

Christine H. said...

I'm looking forward to Wendy's criminal post as well as any missing parts and other amusing tidbits.

Bob Scotney said...

A transported convict with the family name for you this week.

DougVernX said...

Gaol tyme for everyone! :)

Kathy said...

I think a family photographer had a favorite subject.

Lavender and Vanilla Friends of the Gardens said...

No convicts, no missing limbs or heads, but some tiny ones are up in arms! Happy Sepia Saturday to all.

Michael J. McCann said...

This theme was a challenge, for sure, but I managed to find two photos to support the vaguely-related theme of amateur photographers as poor framers/shot composers. Fun!

Mike Brubaker said...

My thanks again Alan, for a perfect introduction! I've got boys and prisons and music of course, but no headless suits.

Gill Edwards said...

Im loving Sepia Saturdays, i look forward to posting all week.
Ive gone a bit stripy and sassy this week.

Alan Burnett said...

I am really looking forward to reading all the contributions this week. Mines up, so it is time to start trawling.

Bruno Laliberté said...

When I went through my father's pictures, there were plenty of chopped off heads but I got rid of most of them. I took another road, a spiritual road to this week's theme, yet I can't decide whether I am a themer, or not!! It is certainly something you're not expecting, and one I hope won't send you rioting in the streets...

It's all only for fun!!
:)~
HUGZ

Howard said...

Some film promotion postcards from me this week

Anonymous said...

I didn’t remember to have photos with missing parts. But than I took a better look and found dozens of them. I’ve selected this 5 photos.

Yvonne Demoskoff said...

I found a few similar photos in my collection, missing parts, that is, but all in good taste, of course - lol.

Jana Iverson Last said...

Last week Wendy of Jollett etc. jokingly said I was always "last" on the SS list, something I hadn't noticed before. That was so funny! She's a hoot! I guess I did it again this week (at least so far).

Wibbo said...

I've gone with the cinema link this week :o)

Queen Bee said...

I'm late to the party this week...just found photos at the last minute. Photo Booth images from 1968 is my take on the theme.

Queen Bee said...

I'm late to the party this week...just found photos at the last minute. Photo Booth images from 1968 is my take on the theme.

Queen Bee said...

I'm late to the party this week...just found photos at the last minute. Photo Booth images from 1968 is my take on the theme.

Peter said...

@Queen Bee
No need to tell us three times you're late :)

dakotaboo said...

Unfortunately I'm both late, and not theming this week. Hopefully normal service will resume next week.

courtneycotton01@gmail.com said...

I think I have it right now! Just linked in the right week, hopefully. Going to check everyone else's now. Thanks....Dawn