The Brownie camera
lays there in the
bottom drawer of the
secretary, not used
for half a century
now, abandoned for
the newer technology
that has made photo
taking effortless and
uncomplicated.
But the many
treasured photos–
of us all at the beach,
lined up neatly in the
front yard, spotted with
measles, playing with our
neighborhood pals
and at birthdays
and special events…
all those long ago,
dearly-departed days,
were taken by that
beloved Brownie.
It, as well as the
bygone era it
served to capture,
is so lovingly valued
and memorably cherished.
Neighborhood Friends
Betty Hayes Albright
/ February 22, 2012That brings back memories! We had one of those cameras and I love going through the pictures my parents took. The kids in your photo could be the kids in my old neighborhood… and, like you, there’s even one of me “spotted with measles”. The good ol’ days! :) Thank you for sharing that, Bodhirose.
Bodhirose
/ February 24, 2012Anyone of our age, Betty, can remember those cameras. I love all the old black and white photos that my parents have kept too. My Mom gathered three of us together when we had the mumps…cheeks out to here…I was very grumpy and wasn’t in the mood for a cute picture. The children in that photo are actually of my two brothers on either end, the neighbor girls from across the street and scrawny, baby me in the middle. (Why were we girls “topless”???)
Lorna's Voice
/ February 23, 2012I saw the picture and it reminded me of my Phil. His camera collection is enormous. There’s a Brownie or two among the hordes.
Your words reminded me of my youth. Cranking the film through to the next frame, waiting for the roll to be finished because we took pictures only on “special” ocassions, and then waiting for the pictures to be developed. Wow. we had patience back then!
Bodhirose
/ February 24, 2012I have a camera from way back when my girls were babies and have no idea how to work it…one day would like to try my hand at using it. I remember those days of “cranking” the film through too….and having to wait. We were patient! We had no choice….
bardessdmdenton
/ February 23, 2012There is something so wonderful about these old photographs…maybe it is just the nostalgia in them.
But I think it is something more to do with the spirit in them…
Nice poem!
Bodhirose
/ February 24, 2012I think it has to do with the slower pace of life back then too. Things were more laid back and simpler…I miss some of that. You can just feel the difference when you look at those old black and whites…
Thanks!
Sue Dreamwalker
/ February 24, 2012Arrh a Boxed Brownie.. I remember my Dad having one of these… I came across some old black and white negatives last year and took them to a local photo-shop in town.. they said Oh no sorry they couldnt develope them now as its all digital… Im sure some where they would do them.. as we are all young children my sisters and brother all sat on the surf breakers near the ocean… its lovely to travel down memory lane…
Hope your well.. ~ Sue Dreamwalker
Bodhirose
/ February 24, 2012My Dad was the photo taker in the family when we were little. That Brownie was his camera. He was into having some of our old photos restored (particularly those of he and my mother and their parents and siblings) and there was a place in town that did all that kind of work. Thanks to him, we now have some pretty good photos from the 1930s and 40s. I hope you’ll look into some other places to have your negatives developed…I would think someone could do it for you. Wouldn’t it be nice to have them.
So nice to hear from you again…I’m doing well and hope you are too. Gayle ~
Sue Dreamwalker
/ February 24, 2012Yes Im fine.. thank you Gayle.. and I need to keep in touch more.. I need a new system of keeping track.. lol.. and I thought I had subscribed to your posts.. but it appears not.. So I will endeavour to keep up more often….
And Yes we havent given up on getting the negatives printed.. My son in law knows some one, but you know how things work in families.. lol.. still waiting for that one to get back lol… Hugs to you
Jamie Dedes
/ March 1, 2012How delightfully you’ve captured a memory we all share and how poignant now that Kodac is no longer making cameras.
Gale, that’s a sweet, sweet photograph. Thanks for including it. Made me smile.
Bodhirose
/ March 4, 2012Several months ago, our four best girl friends from the neighborhood, and my sister and I had a mini reunion and I shared that photo with them as well as some others. Nothing like those old black and white photos…. Glad you had a smile, Jamie.