Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Tintype Tuesday - Row, Row, Row Your Boat to Nowhere!

This tintype photograph of two men staged in a small boat was most likely taken at a boardwalk somewhere as was popular during the tintype era.  See my previous post regarding this issue.  They are both wearing suits with boutonnieres as if they were members of a wedding party.  The background has a definite tropical feel.  These men look rather silly to me.   I can only imagine the young men of today saying to the photographer, "Seriously dude, I am not sitting in that stupid boat."  As is common with most tintypes, the subjects and photographer are both unidentified.
at

4 comments:

  1. PeterMay 16, 2012 4:50 AM

    It is quite possible that I misunderstand the word 'boardwalk' as you use it but I think this photograph was taken in a studio. The boat is completely out of proportion compared to the two 'sailors'. In my country (The Netherlands) this type of studio picture was in fashion in the thirties. I have one example of my wife's family. It is hand coloured. Pse see the 3rd shot in this blog post http://bit.ly/La1cfH
    But I agree with you, they don't look happy!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Teresa Wilson RogersMay 16, 2012 9:56 AM

      Peter, thank you for stopping by, I appreciate your comments. Tin types originally were taken by itinerant photographers who traveled the country such as those who followed the soldiers in the Civil War. During the period of 1875 - 1930 (called the Carnival Period) photographers set up studios using novelty props. These were especially popular at fairs, carnivals and along the boardwalks of major tourist areas along the beach, hence the term boardwalk. So yes, this was most definitely taken in a studio, but my guess was at one the tourist areas that specialized in these types of novelty photos.

      Your photo,although not a tin type, was quite interesting and similar which shows that photographers were using the same types of ideas and processes everywhere. Again, thanks for you comments and I hope you will stop by again!

      Delete
  2. WendyMay 16, 2012 7:53 AM

    Swingin' bachelor party?? Seriously, I imagine that before the Internet, before television, before easy access to photographs, a painted backdrop of exotic places could be quite alluring.

    ReplyDelete