America in Color from 1939-1943

**line6man** · #1 08-09-2010, 01:43 PM

Really cool.

http://extras.denverpost.com/archive/captured.asp

**Eric Perry** · #2 08-09-2010, 03:23 PM

GREAT pictures!!!! Thanks for sharing!

EricF · #3 08-09-2010, 03:51 PM

Fantastic. Thanks!!

**line6man** · #4 08-09-2010, 06:00 PM

Here are some more from the Library of Congress:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/library...7603671370361/

boing · #5 08-09-2010, 09:39 PM

Best Thread of the Year.

WickedPissah · #6 08-09-2010, 10:08 PM

I love old color photos, but sometimes I get kind of mind****ed by them because I mentally perceive that time as being lived in black and white.

**line6man** · #7 08-09-2010, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WickedPissah

I love old color photos, but sometimes I get kind of mind****ed by them because I mentally perceive that time as being lived in black and white.

To me, it's more like I have a hard time believing that old photos are real, because in color, they look like still shots from movies or something.

Whenever I look at old photographs, I expect them to be low quality black-and-white prints that have faded out over the years.
It just seems odd looking at them in high definition color.

These pictures in particular. They look like they are from movies.

Atoz · #8 08-09-2010, 10:38 PM

What an interesting glimpse into Depression-era rural America. There are definitely some hardened people in these photos. They must have had some interesting stories to tell.

I think my favorite photo is #58, the one with the shepherd and his dog. There's just something about it...

sloasdaylight · #9 08-09-2010, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by line6man

To me, it's more like I have a hard time believing that old photos are real, because in color, they look like still shots from movies or something.

Whenever I look at old photographs, I expect them to be low quality black-and-white prints that have faded out over the years.
It just seems odd looking at them in high definition color.

These pictures in particular. They look like they are from movies.

The reason for that is because they're reproductions from slides, not photographs of the original photograph, or a scan of it. The color is really vivid and striking.

**line6man** · #10 08-09-2010, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atoz

What an interesting glimpse into Depression-era rural America. There are definitely some hardened people in these photos. They must have had some interesting stories to tell.

Yes, I noticed that all the faces were very weathered and worn.

ESPECIALLY the last photo.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sloasdaylight

The reason for that is because they're reproductions from slides, not photographs of the original photograph, or a scan of it. The color is really vivid and striking.

Exactly.
Look how remarkably clear these are, because they came from slides! It's unusual to see old photos in such vivid color and detail.

TBird1958 · #11 08-09-2010, 11:56 PM

Great post!

Thank you for sharing, I really enjoyed the railroad and avation ones, but all are very interesting.

MIJ-VI · #12 08-10-2010, 12:17 AM

What struck me was the number of barefoot children:

As for these humanizing-of-history color photos in general? If it weren't for our present day digital electronics, TV, and jet engines...

**line6man** · #13 08-10-2010, 12:42 AM

i_got_a_mohawk · #14 08-10-2010, 05:15 AM

Some awesome pictures there.

Reminds me of the "World War in Colour" documentaries.

i_got_a_mohawk · #15 08-10-2010, 05:22 AM

Instantly made me think of:

John D@508 · #16 08-10-2010, 05:34 AM

Wow...

Very interesting. I am also shocked by the lack of shoes.

sloasdaylight · #17 08-10-2010, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by line6man

Exactly.
Look how remarkably clear these are, because they came from slides! It's unusual to see old photos in such vivid color and detail.

Yea it's crazy, really brings it all closer to home and much, MUCH more real.

Richland123 · #18 08-10-2010, 09:14 AM

Great photos! When people today complain about how hard their lives are in the U.S. today, they need to see photos like these to remind them of how good they have it and it is all because of the hard work and hard lives our ancestors went through to make things better for us.

sneha1965 · #19 08-10-2010, 09:33 AM

My dad grew up during this time and he said that he didn't wear shoes in the summer to save the soles of the shoes for the winter when they would really need them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MIJ-VI

What struck me was the number of barefoot children:

As for these humanizing-of-history color photos in general? If it weren't for our present day digital electronics, TV, and jet engines...

**line6man** · #20 08-10-2010, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by i_got_a_mohawk

Instantly made me think of:

That's what I thought of as well.

That's a great picture actually, from a photographic point of view.
I love the reflection of her in the (panel?) that she's riveting.