Saturday, December 12, 2009




Clothes and decorating styles often define an era.

These things are a reflection of the times. Blue and white china from England, ladder back chairs, three cornered hats, parliamentary wigs, women's head coverings (to keep dust out of the hair), all served both practical and decorative uses. Material at the time was heavy and stiff...no blended materials like today...usually either cotton or wool. The materials used for clothing also reflected the local natural resources available found near the homestead.

I suppose that 100 year from now...someone on a blog (or it's equivalent) may be writing about ball caps, leisure suits (hope not), futons and sweatshirts. I wonder what their comment on today's society will say?

Dan

14 comments:

Sunny said...

I hope in future commentary they leave out the pants worn below the bottom!
Your pictures always have such interesting details and wonderful colors.
Enjoy your weekend.
Sunny :)

Dan Felstead said...

Oh Sunny...you just have no sense of adventure. There is nothing like the freedom of "Sagging" at the mall...I do it all the time!

Dan

Sunny said...

I'm 'sagging' all the time too, even when I wearing a dress! LOL
Sunny :)

Dan Felstead said...

L O L !! Great response Sunny!

Dan

Lynda Lehmann said...

Interesting post and I adore the effects on these photos. How do you get such rich colors, Dan? You don't have to tell me, of course, but I was wondering if "Painter" tools are at work here?

Have a wonderful and fulfilling Christmas with your family, Dan!

Dan Felstead said...

Lynda...I don't mind at all talking about my technique. It is a combination of :
1. Subject Matter that I am passionate about
2. Using Photoshop to it's full potential
3. And on abut 70% of my photos...the HDR process. It isn't for every photo but when it works...it works well. I will email you off line with all the details.

Dan

shabby girl said...

Yes, these are rich, as usual! Very nice.
We seem to be defining ourselves these days, in many ways. I hope we can be as strong as our forefathers, in many ways, so that we can be defined as they are.

dianne said...

Laughing about what Sunny said and you, yes those pants that young guys wear hanging around their bottoms...not a great look and how do they ever stay up?
These are lovely photos Dan, I especially like the ladder back chair and the photo of the lady wearing her little cotton cap under her straw bonnet, so pretty are the ribbons, decoration and the hat pin to keep it all in place...also her crossed over cotton scarf. Yes we are into the first month of Summer and a hat like this would be very practical in our hot, sunny climate.
I think cotton is one of the nicest of fabrics, the patterns woven here are so lovely and it has so many practical and decorative uses such as ribbons and lace which sadly are not as popular these days. ♡

septembermom said...

The colors are amazing in these photos, Dan. The color brings such character and personality to the figures and surrounding.

Dan Felstead said...

Shabbygirl...lets keep our fingers crossed...sometimes I wonder!

Dan

Dan Felstead said...

Dianne thanks for the nice comment...send some of those nice warm Spring winds our way!

Dan

Dan Felstead said...

Septembermom..these re-enactments take you back to that era...the people that participate in them remain in character the entire time...really neet!

Dan

Cynthia L. H. said...

Love all of these! Wouldn't the couple make the cutest Santa and Mrs. Claus (Old-World style?!)
;^) ;^) ;^)

Dan Felstead said...

Cynthia...yes they would. I never thought about that but I would love to have a picture of them as Santas.

Dan