Family Photoshop Fun

Posted on | 3 years, 1 month ago, in the late evening | 1 Comment

This is a picture of my great grandfather, on the property of the family business he maintained for years. C.T. Swinson and Sons imported, collected, repaired, and recycled feed and guano bags for use in dairies, farms, race tracks, and the like. Eventually my grandfather retired and sold the land (Florida’s I-4 goes through this spot today).

Swinson_1

(Click here to see this image larger.)

I have a small stack of these pictures sitting on my desk, because my grandmother said I could take them home with me if I’d take care of them. By “take care of them” she meant, “scan and archive these bad-boys, and while you’re at it, see if you can’t Photoshop all those pesky pen and ink marks out of them.” I’ve hereby obeyed the spirit of her instructions, which is why you don’t see blue notations all over these.

[Edited to add: The clouds in the backgrounds are original to the images, and not leftovers from my noodling.]

Swinson_2

(Click here to see this image larger.)

I think — though I could be wrong — that these shots were taken as part of a surveying expedition, snapped shortly before Grandpa retired and sold the land.* The markings detail distances between assorted points, as well as X-marks-the-spot type notations regarding various landmarks.

The pictures themselves had been at the bottom of a box for decades. In addition to the inked notations, they’re curled, crimped, and wrinkled; and some of them have massive discolored patches that are the result of either sun-bleaching or spills. They’re in crap shape, and I’m pretty proud of myself for cleaning them up even to this extent. God knows I’m no Photoshop guru.

But I’ve scanned them high, shined them up, and saved them large — so if anyone in the Seattle area can recommend a photo joint that will print pictures from a CD, then I’d be happy to hear about it. I’ve already tried the Walgreens down the street and they acted like I was a lunatic for suggesting it.

Anyway. When I find a place to accommodate me, I’ll make enough copies to send home (with the originals) and keep a round for myself.

Swinson_3

(Click here to see this image larger.)

My great-grandfather died when I was in second or third grade, and I have only the vaguest recollection of him. Most of my small memories involve ice cream … and there were railroad tracks, someplace. He had an old car with windows that were always rolled down, and I was wearing white sandals with little daisy cut-outs in the leather. My legs were so short they didn’t hang over the seat’s edge, so I stared at my toes while he drove.

I remember that he was very kind, and rather quiet. But until I saw these pictures, I couldn’t remember a thing about his face.


* I can’t even guess what year. Early 1960s? I’m sure my mother will log on and set me straight before long.

Category: misc

Comments

One Response to “Family Photoshop Fun”

  1. gfxdude
    February 16th, 2009 @ 11:53 am

    I don’t usually reply to posts but I will in this case. You really know this stuff.

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