I inherited all my mother's photos when she passed away. I treasure them! However, I fear that most 21st Century photos will be lost to time. People don't print their photos out as much anymore. When technology changes in the future, people won't know how to find our digital photos - unless they believe in the power of history!
After my dad died in late 2023, I found a camera and some undeveloped “620” film rolls in the basement. He wasn’t a photographer. I suspected that they might something his father, my grandfather, who died in 1988, had taken. I spent $70 getting the film developed. Ended up getting 10 images. Most were extremely grainy and some were simply blurs.
But a few of the B&W photos confirmed what I had suspected. There’s my grandfather’s old house, now on the land where a Super 8 Motel sits. He took a couple of photos of the “new mall” next door (it was more like a strip mall with a tiny “inside” part, built in 1975). There was some snow, piled at the end of the parking lot, and the nearby Ford dealership appeared to have 1976 models. And he took a photo of his neighbor’s mangey horse.
It was worth it. Mystery solved almost 50 years after the photos were taken. Imagine what “data recovery” will reveal in 30 years. (horrors)
So true to live a life worth living!
Wonder if the photo relics will someday wind up preserved in a mummy museum.
that was nice.
Great writing Jim ! I like the pictures too.
I inherited all my mother's photos when she passed away. I treasure them! However, I fear that most 21st Century photos will be lost to time. People don't print their photos out as much anymore. When technology changes in the future, people won't know how to find our digital photos - unless they believe in the power of history!
Yeah. Around 2001-2, we turned to digital. All prints disappeared. I just tried to have a bit of fun with it.
I'm glad you treasure your Mom's photos. Hope you have a bunch of gems like I do.
After my dad died in late 2023, I found a camera and some undeveloped “620” film rolls in the basement. He wasn’t a photographer. I suspected that they might something his father, my grandfather, who died in 1988, had taken. I spent $70 getting the film developed. Ended up getting 10 images. Most were extremely grainy and some were simply blurs.
But a few of the B&W photos confirmed what I had suspected. There’s my grandfather’s old house, now on the land where a Super 8 Motel sits. He took a couple of photos of the “new mall” next door (it was more like a strip mall with a tiny “inside” part, built in 1975). There was some snow, piled at the end of the parking lot, and the nearby Ford dealership appeared to have 1976 models. And he took a photo of his neighbor’s mangey horse.
It was worth it. Mystery solved almost 50 years after the photos were taken. Imagine what “data recovery” will reveal in 30 years. (horrors)
How cool is that? Where was it?
What a delightful little story.
Lord knows we have aged so well!!!! 70 more days to freedom. I think I`ll become a writer. How hard can it be after teaching History for 27 years?
Funny how the color of our hair changed ... or in your case disappeared. Ha! ;-)
Hey, let me know when the retirement comes. I want to be there!
Won`t be long now. As I told a GCPS Principal Supervisor last semester "I dont have to be good, I just gotta be here"!