Cops & Robbers Issue

There’s nothing more fascinating than a very old mugshot. The effort on the part of the arrested to make it difficult for the Lawman to take his photograph is often comical.

In this issue of Shades we explore Cops & Robbers and their association with photography. Maureen Taylor introduces The Well Dressed Criminal, Denise Olson prepares The Cub Reporter, and Craig Manson tells the Story of Bonnie & Clyde in photographs.

In2Genealogy compares the creative non-fiction account of Linda Palmer’s Great Great Grandfather Sheriff John Campbell to his recently discovered photograph. Did she come close?

Penny Dreadful takes us into the courtroom for the trial of Edward J. Muybridge, a famous photographer. Does he get away with murder?

A cabinet card commemorating murder leads us into a photographic criminal case study. Oh, the twists and turns.

Janine Smith instructs us step-by-step into Windows of the Past, an image meld.

And don’t miss ArtiFacts and the killer fingerprints.

You’re going to find this issue very arresting!

Shades Magazine Out Friday, May 23, 2014 - A Cops & Robbers Date

This month marks the 80th anniversary of the deaths of the notorious crime couple Bonnie and Clyde on May 23, 1934.

Join Shades on May 23, when Bonnie & Clyde become an "Appealing Subject" at the hands of Craig Manson in the Cops & Robbers Issue of Shades Of The Departed, the Magazine.

Shades The Magazine - The Toy Issue

It’s the Toys Issue and it’s loaded. All the Shades contributors are here to show and tell about “toys” and old photographs. You’ll also learn their favorite childhood toy. I loved paper dolls. I had two sets I adored. Prince Valiant, filled with beautiful jewels and a little girl that I could design clothes in vinyl and stick them to her with static electricity. I still collect them as you can see from the image on the next page.

Brett Payne, the Photo-Sleuth, has written a brilliant article on the toys used by photographers to appease their young sitters. You must take a look.

Did you know that Queen Victoria was a doll collector and an archivist? Check out Queen Victoria’s Dolls. In doing the research for this article I found I had a great deal in common with the publisher of The Strand Magazine. See if you can find the resemblance.

Then we explore a Santa’s Wish list in iAncestor, what the well-dressed dolls wear in Dressed To The Nines, what toys were appealing and which were not in Appealing Subjects, toy hunting for the genealogist in In2Genealogy, creating a toy with a download from The Healing Brush, places to go to when hunting toys with Sheri Fenley, a dreadful doll story with a happy ending in Penny Dreadful, and an ArtiFact from Denise Levenick.

Don’t miss the announcement Shades has this month. Something’s coming, something good!

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Thank You to all our loyal readers! On to the New year!

Select the image above or The Toys Issue to read the new Shades Magazine.

Read more »

A Birthday Surprise Revisited PennyD!

Twice Told Tuesday features a photography related article reprinted
from old photography books, magazines, newspapers, and today a letter

This is a "Twice Told Tuesday" told thrice, this year on Sunday. A story told to you in 2009 by a very special guest and reprinted because it and the subjects are two of my favorites. This post is a forever favorite. On our birthdays our thoughts turn to our Mothers. Without them we wouldn't be here. We wouldn't be the people we have become. A remembrance, a birthday celebration and another year PennyD!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PENELOPE DREADFUL/FAMILY CURATOR

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

Dear Daughter,

Miss Penelope and your Shades and Curator fans want to share this special day with you. A Curator, as you have learned, is a person responsible for managing, organizing and preserving historical and treasured items. You have always been good at keeping things. You certainly have the experience for this since you've hung on to friends, animals, letters, pictures, clothes, and even an old pork chop bone which we found under your bed. I wonder what the history of that bone would have been? I hate to imagine.

As far as Miss Penelope is concerned, I am sure she was first born during the many childhood books you read and the stories which you heard from your Grandma Arline. In fact, sometimes I believe you are talking about your Grandma and all the adventures she had and the men who had been in her life.

I will never be sorry now that I dumped 5 large boxes of Mama's pictures and letters on you when I moved to Arizona.

I think Mama knew that her life in the early 1900's would be of interest to others in this day and age. Mama would be thrilled that you have shared her life with others in such a unique way.

Have a Great Birthday and never stop your writing as you continue to enrich and entertain others.

Love Mom

Mom is the beautiful Suzanne. Denise Levenick (Penelope Dreadful and The Family Curator) is her daughter.

Your happy birthday now is here.

I hope you're well and hearty! If I lived near you, my dear,

I'd surprise you with a party.

Happy Birthday BFF from all your fans!

We lift our glasses!

And as good as this story, was Denise's response:

Sources:Photograph:

Denise & Mom. 2009. Digital Image. Anonymous. Acquired from Denise Levenick's Facebook page. 2009.

Free Vintage 1915 July 4th Images

"The time has come," the Walrus said, "to talk of many things."

Thursday, on Shades Of The Departed, will be dedicated to
many things, and nothing in particular.  
Many Things Thursday 
Free Vintage July 4 Images from 1915

Working on your Heritage Scrapbooking? I have two vintage 4th of July images to share with you. The firecracker image can be used as a divider and the rocket image can be used as a drop cap in your family history writing or a frame for initials or dates in your scrapbooking. Use your imagination my friends!

FireCracker Divider

Here is an example of how I used the Firecracker Divider by coloring the image.

It can be downloaded as a PNG file (transparent background) or

as a JPG file (white background). Not in color.

Rocket Image With Year

Rocket Image with Drop Cap

Here is an example of how I used the Rocket Image by converting to a brush 

and adding a year. It can be downloaded as a PNG file (transparent background) or

as a JPG file (white background).Not in color.

Directions:

Right click the images below and select Save Image As.

Firecracker.png

(Transparent Background)

Firecracker.jpg

(White Background)

Rocket,png

(Transparent Background) 

Rocket,png

(White Background)

Download:

Just click on the image to enlarge it and then right click (using the button on the right side of your mouse) to save it to your computer.

Please:

Just click on the image to enlarge it and then right click (using the button on the right side of your mouse) to save it to your computer.

Please:

Personal use only. No commercial use.

Do not use on free graphics sites (if you own a “free graphics site”, do not post my images on your site to give away for free). 

Post a link to ShadesOfTheDeparted.com when including the images  on your blog or website. Thank you!

Enjoy your Heritage Scrapbooking! 

Twice Told Tuesday - Posing

Twice Told Tuesday features a photography related article reprinted from
my collection of old photography books, magazines, and newspapers.

OUR ILLUSTRATIONS
Anthony's Photographic Bulletin
1897

The photographers of old took they're work very seriously striving for professionalism in all aspects. So much so in posing that an entire book was written and illustrated with photographs on the subject. I own a photograph similar to Plate VI and have always wondered how it was done.

In a recent issue we announced that Mr. C. Hetherington was engaged upon a new book, "Studies from Leading Studios," in which would be presented a series of object lessons that cannot fail to be of immense value to all interested in portrait photography. Through the kindness of Mr. Hetherington we are permitted to reproduce six of the illustrations from this book. Each of these is a whole volume of information, and should receive the earnest consideration of our readers. We append details of their production.

Plate I

Plate I.—This shows how to handle a large group, and was made by Mr. Hetherington himself at the studio of Huntington & Clark, of Detroit, Mich. His plan of handling such groups is to first pick out seven or eight of the largest men and make a group of them in the center of the picture. Then, by adding small groups, he works from the center towards each end. In other words, his groups are made up of small groups. Observe that the floor line is nicely broken, and also the top line. Notice, also, the lack of hands and feet in tie picture. The background, too, is eminently suitable, in that it does not in any way detract from the group.

Plate II

Plate II.—A beautiful group, made by J. M. White, Port Huron, Mich. The posing of hands, heads and eyes is very good, and the subjects look as if interested in a good story, and momentarily distracted by a new-comer. The picture looks as if it were taken in a parlor.

Plate III

Plate III.—This picture of our good friend, Mrl George Bassett, and his daughter Millie, is a nice suggestion for a group of two.

Plate IV

Plate IV.—A beautiful pose, by J. Leask Ross, formerly with Morrison, and now operator for the Taber Photo Studio, San Francisco.

Plate V

Plate V.—A study by Hetherington, made with a single slant skylight, in Chicago, at the American Aristotype Company's School of Photography. The subject was placed about 10 feet away from the light, and the curtains were let up all the way. Then a 6 x 8 background was placed between the sitter and the light. The light was allowed to pass over the top of this ground and to fall on the subject. The exposure was fifteen seconds.

Plate VI

Plate VI.—Portrait of J. Leask Ross, by C. Hetherington. When this plate was developed, every mark upon it was visible on the negative. Take a piece of ground-glass the same size as the negative, place it in the plate-holder and focus. The subject must now keep the body still until the exposure is made. Take a piece of crayon and sketch the coat on the ground-glass. Now insert the plate in the holder, replace the latter on the camera, vignette (with a vignetter on front of the lens), the head and collar, make the exposure and close the plate-holder. Then focus on a piece of rough canvas and expose the same plate on this canvas and develop. Print on Aristo-Platino paper, and tone only with gold, enough to clear the whites. Fix well, and the resulting print will have the appearance of a red chalk drawing.


 "Illustrations," Anthony's Photographic Bulletin. New York: E. & H. T. Anthony & Company, 1897.

Many Things Thursday - The Black Cat

"The time has come," the Walrus said, "to talk of many things."

Thursday, on Shades Of The Departed, will be dedicated to
many things, and nothing in particular.

Many Things Thursday
The Black Cat 

The young woman above appears to be advertising a once popular magazine called The Black Cat. This photograph is common for the genre referred to as advertising photographs.

Black Cat Roller Derby Woman, c. 1800s | Retronaut

The Black Cat Cover 1895

The Black Cat (1895–1922) was an American literary magazine published in Boston, Massachusetts. It specialized in short stories of an "unusual" nature. The magazine's first editor was Herman Umbstaetter (1851–1913). It is best known for publishing the story "A Thousand Deaths" by Jack London in the May 1899 issue.  Reminds me of Penny Dreadful.

The Black Cat describes itself:

The Black Cat is devoted exclusively to original, unusual, fascinating stories - every number is complete in itself. It publishes no serials, translations, borrowing, or stealings. It pays nothing for the name or reputation of the writer, but the highest price on record for Stories that are Stories, and it pays not according to length, but according to strength.  

The most intriguing story published by the magazine established its reputation for the unusual, "The Mysterious Card" (February 1896) by Cleveland Moffett. The story reminded me of the Twilight Zone series. A man has a card that is blank when he looks at it, but is revolting to all others who look at it.

I have purchased several of The Black Cat magazines, a favorite of a certain black cat I know. You can read  The Black Cat, December 1899 online.

The most famous story published by the magazine helped establish its reputation for the unusual, "The Mysterious Card" (February 1896) by Cleveland Moffett, where a man has a card upon which he can see nothing but it revolts all he shows it to. - See more at: http://www.sf-encyclopedia.com/entry/black_cat_the#sthash.NbZPKmYz.dpuf