1940-1954
The two images above are idyllic. Mom, Pop and the dog. Tied together in love forever.
The one below is vaguely threatening, in my opinion. It’s from a different roll of film (Verichrome)from a different Brownie Flash 620
I don’t think Diane Arbus used a Brownie Flash 6-20 at any point in her professional lifetime, but this looks like something she’d do.
The expressionless face, and the eyes barely visible through the sunglasses are oddly disturbing. The photographers shadow, the single piece of litter and the ongoing conversation with the pony fans to the right, are important elements in this lost photograph.
You’ve probably seen a million photographs of people in your life. Most don’t hold your interest unless they are photos of people you know. This is not an uninteresting photograph.
There’s no doubt that the air of mystery is heightened by the fact that you’re seeing this photo for the first time . It’s likely that all involved in this photograph are no longer with us . If not, they’re deep into their Social Security money. It was the only exposed frame on a roll of eight possibilities.
Who is this guy ? Is he a truck driver ? Is he an official with the festivities in the background ? Is that his wife’s shadow on his leg ?
What’s he got strapped to his back ? Is there another pair of glasses in his shirt pocket or is that case for his sunglasses ?
Is that a child or a small adult over there by the pony ? If you look behind the truck you’ll see another strange figure standing next to a mysterious man wearing a white shirt and dark tie.
Why was only one frame exposed that day ? Was the festival devoid of photo opportunities ? Did something bad happen ?
Well, none of these questions will ever be answered. The elements in this photograph came together for a fleeting moment. About 1/30th of a second, very long ago. Then they moved on.