old OLD color photographs

A few months ago, I read an article about a photographer from the early 1900's who made color photographs using a technology he created. The Library of Congress purchased the plates the photographer used, and through digital technology, archivists were able to recreate the photographs as they were made over 100 years ago. The photographer was employed by the then-Tsar of Russia.

I'll add the link to the photographs at the end of this entry.

Of course, you all know how much I adore taking pictures. But did you know that I LOVE to look at told photographs? There's just something totally different about the photographs from a long time ago. I love the clarity and the intensity of the images. However, we are all so used to seeing images in black and white or in sepia. Adding color is AMAZING. As you look through the photographs, notice the colors. I think it's so neat to see the strong colors that people did wear in their clothing. Amid the black and white, I don't actively realize that these people 100 years ago (and more) wore colors (duh!)! Their clothes weren't shades a gray - the people appreciated color just as we do today. The sky is the same color today as it was then. The grass is still green as today. It's so neat to see things you're used to seeing, but know that it's from 100 years ago. Truly a wonderful visually tasteful trip to the past.

Links:
This link showcases the photographer and explains his technology and collections: Sergei Mikhailovich Prokudin-Gorskii
http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/empire/gorskii.html

This next link showcases the photographs (from Newsweek article)
http://www.newsweek.com/id/214585

The last link has a TON of photographs - the Library of Congress
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/p?pp/prok:@field(NUMBER+prok)::SortBy=CALL


Here's a teaser (Digital ID: prokc 20201), taken off LC website.