MetaChat - "Hidden mothers" photos.

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17 February 2011

"Hidden mothers" photos. In the 1800's, mothers would take photos with their children on their laps. The mothers were often wrapped in fabric. Some of the mothers were later cropped out of the photos with mattes or frames.→[More:]

A Flickr pool of these photos, plus an example of how the photos would be cropped (making them much less weird looking). I'm sure this was done because early cameras had very long exposure times, and there'd be no other way to keep a baby still long enough to take the photo.

post by: BoringPostcards at: 09:14 | 7 comments

Fascinating!

posted by Obscure Reference 17 February | 09:16

Wow. Yes, and cuh-reepy! When I see old photos of babies now, I'm going to look a lot closer. I guess it took generations to patent the Sears Studio "look at the doggie!" technique of solo baby photography.

posted by Miko 17 February | 09:18

Oh, that's interesting. And completely logical, too.

posted by gaspode 17 February | 09:21

Logical AND creepy! Neat-o!

posted by Specklet 17 February | 13:17

This is terrific!

posted by jessamyn 17 February | 13:40

Wow. I have a bunch of old cabinet photos I've purchased that I should find and check out. I think most of mine have slightly older children, though, not babies.

posted by deborah 17 February | 14:04

Interesting.

posted by Ardiril 17 February | 17:53

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