Nostalgia as a contemporary concept of history

[Archiver]

I love nostalgia. It's my favourite past time in winter. I have a friend who also ruminates on the past a lot, so we are a good match.

My main vehicle is a folder full of memorabilia from my youth - anything from my nursery certificate to my children's birthday wishes. I open it every now and then to see what I can discover. I have found things like train/boat/airplane tickets of places I visited at university, love letters, the diaries I kept whilst in the army, announcements from the University notice board, etc.. I can't believe I was so dedicated to keep all those things...

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Another popular vehicle for nostalgia are the three drawers of slides that I have showcased in here. The last- but not least - are my photography magazines collection. I only have about 30 here from 1994 and 1995 but there are about 150 still in my parent's house and I am trying to bring them here. I can spend a morning reading old, out-dated news from the late 80s/early 90s.

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I am fortunate to have dedicated memory boxes stuffed with items and ephemera from my childhood and teenage years, everything from schoolwork and tram tickets to movie tickets and school notices about music recitals. Dad gave me his collection of the 70s partwork magazine You And Your Camera, which I still enjoy reading with the eyes of both the professional photographer I now am, and the child I once was, sitting on the couch in the sun room with his Pentax ME next to me and those magazines in hand.

You And Your Camera - weekly magazine from the '70s

In 1979, Eaglemoss Publications of London began production of the weekly magazine, You And Your Camera. Aimed at beginner and enthusiast photographers, YAYC was filled with articles about gear, techniques, lighting, subjects and more. There were many articles about professional photographers...

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[boojum]

I shoot for myself. If what I shoot pleases others even better. I try to record what interests me so it is sort of street and documentary. I shoot what is near me wherever I am. And like any other blind hog, once in awhile I'll find a root. The photos are for me aides memoires, just to jog memory. My favorite photo of all of the baker in his doorway in Santa Rosalia, BCS, Mexico always brings back the memories of the short time I lived just south of there in Mulege. I do not want to ever forget those moments. That's why cameras are important to me.

Here's my baker, again. A fine fellow, kind and generous, a man to guide you. And, yes, I do believe the kid running up the stairs will be rewarded with a free sugar cookie. That's who the baker was.

My favorite photo by West Phalia, on Flickr
​

If you want to see the actual bakery here is a link: Bakery - Santa Rosalia, BCS

 

[Disappointed_Horse]

As an American I lived outside the US for most of my post education adult life and was fortunate to have traveled to and worked in nearly every country in Asia and a few more in Europe. To quote that movie: I have seen things you people wouldn’t believe. I only wish I had taken up photography earlier. Everything was “normal” until I moved back to the US did I get overwhelmed with media bombardment of vile politics. They come from everywhere from local news to posts from FB friends, every word loaded like a weapon. From a perspective of a person who has been away from all of this for decades none of the talking points from either side make any logical sense. Seems people are hypnotized. I wonder if I want to be here. A beach in Thailand makes more sense for me to retire.

This resonates with me. While I have not traveled anywhere near as much as you, about 15 years ago, I spent six months living in the UK. Coming back to the US, I realized how extreme and polarized this country already was then. It has only gotten worse since.

 

[p.giannakis]

magazine You And Your Camera, which I still enjoy reading with the eyes of both the professional photographer I now am, and the child I once was

Do you also find the old camera adverts fascinating or is it just me? Even though I have most of those cameras.

 

[Archiver]

Do you also find the old camera adverts fascinating or is it just me? Even though I have most of those cameras.

The old camera ads thrill me no end! Interestingly, there are ads for Chinon and other lesser known brands, rather than the usual Kodak/Canon/Nikon/Pentax/Minolta that one would expect. Perhaps this was in line with the intended readership - the magazine was aimed at beginner photographers and budding enthusiasts, ones who might be more likely to purchase power priced products.

 

[p.giannakis]

The old camera ads thrill me no end! Interestingly, there are ads for Chinon and other lesser known brands, rather than the usual Kodak/Canon/Nikon/Pentax/Minolta that one would expect. Perhaps this was in line with the intended readership - the magazine was aimed at beginner photographers and budding enthusiasts, ones who might be more likely to purchase power priced products.

Maybe that's an idea for a "post magazine camera ad" thread .