Table of Contents
Introduce the idea of lost and found images, emphasizing that they are a forgotten form of photography
The idea of lost and found images comes from the idea of photography; that it is a very personal item. Most images that are taken, whether by accident or on purpose, are meant to be used. There is no reason to remember them, although they may make their way into art history books. The idea of lost and found images has a curiosity about it that is playful and fun. It has been called street photography, but this is not exactly accurate.
In creating this kind of work, photographers are less concerned with the final outcome and more with the process of discovery. This process happens when imagery is dug out from dark rooms or from archives that have been long forgotten. The work consists in finding these images, sharing them with others, and talking to people about their meaning.
Participant :
Share some examples of lost and found images, explaining how each one is special
These pictures are special because they are photographs of people, often a not so famous person, that are in the drawer. They were forgotten until the drawer opened and they were found. Some of them were lost forever by forgetting them. Sometimes they’re found in odd places, like behind a couch. Sometimes they will be found by someone else, as in the case of the films found in a thrift store. Some are just unlucky enough to have been thrown out by mistake. Sometimes they might be found at the bottom of a box and you know what it’s like to dig through your box of old photos. Sometimes you find one or two that have been lost, and some are just plain lucky to survive the elements.
Some people will never get their pictures back, but some people do because they tag the pictures. This helps people recognize the photos. Photos whose subjects have died may never be found, because no one knows who they are anymore so that their relatives can’t identify them. They can always be tagged to have a chance of being found again. Some pictures are found by people for whom the photos are special because they are a picture of someone who is no longer alive.
Discuss the history of lost and found images, highlighting some of the most famous examples
Lost and found images are thought to be the first instances of photography, because the people who owned them wanted images of themselves. Before this, they might have had paintings or drawings done, but there was no way to have a photograph. Also, there is the idea of a self portrait in these images.
The first lost and found image was a daguerreotype created in 1840 by Robert Cornelius. He almost didn’t get it developed into a photograph because the process was so new, but he managed to pay one to develop it anyway. The image came out as a negative, which meant that he had to go back and re-photograph everything. Cornelius accidentally left the daguerreotype behind in a drugstore when he went home and had only brought the negative with him. Another man found it and turned it into a positive image by exposing it to light. The first lost and found image was then displayed in the store window with a caption that said “Negative & Positive Daguerreotypes” in an attempt to attract more customers.
Offer tips for finding lost and found images, stressing the importance of patience and persistence
Placing a picture on the highest shelf of your closet won’t help. Someone has to look at it, so don’t just sit there and wait. Look at every drawer in your house, and even the places you hide things like CDs or Polaroids. Also, don’t be so disappointed when you find it–it may not be yours after all. If a picture turns out to be not yours, don’t be too upset. It could’ve been your brother’s, or it could’ve been lost by a mistake. It also might not be as important as you think it is. In fact, it might even be completely unrelated to your life.
Be realistic, and don’t expect everything to be yours. Just because you can identify something by its features doesn’t mean that it belongs to you. You may have taken a picture of something while at a concert or in the woods, but it may have been taken by someone else.
Sometimes, the most unexpected things can help you find what you’re looking for. Surround yourself by pictures that belong to you. Take a picture of those pictures so you can easily see them and know what they are. If the item is found, keep it in a safe place; you never know when it might come in handy.
Encourage readers to explore abandoned places in search of hidden treasures
These places are often found in picture albums, and are one of the most famous sets of lost and found images. You can look for these places during the day, but it’s best to go at night when you won’t get caught. These abandoned places may not be easy to find because some of them aren’t even in the city anymore. Even if they are, they’re very hard to get to, making it a challenge. They are in the middle of fields, forests or any other natural location.
Some of them have signs warning against trespassing because these places may seem dangerous and scary. The doors may be locked or rusted shut, but you can always look for a way to get in by breaking the lock or taking a window from another abandoned building nearby. There may be animals living in the building that you should keep an eye out for when you go inside.
Some of these places look like they have been abandoned for a long time, but that’s because there are people who have been making their home in them. Sometimes, you’ll find pieces of furniture and even electronics at these locations that have been put together by other people who have picked up something on their travels. If you go inside any of these buildings and discover that you are alone, leave before it gets too late.
