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‘tiny happy’ was a journal of my handmade life from 2006-2025.

someone else’s photos

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I found these pictures in a second-hand shop in town, intending to use the chunky glass frame for a print I bought on Etsy. But when I'd cleaned the glass at home, I realised how cool the original photos inside were. They're individual photographs of alpine plants, carefully positioned on a piece of black paper inside the frame. They are really faded with golden-tones and printed '1982' on the back of each photo. So they're going back in the frame (or maybe individual frames?) to be admired for longer.

I'm thinking of getting an old Polaroid camera so I can create prints like these- or maybe I will just collect old photos taken by other people. (Might be easier and less expensive.)

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14 responses to “someone else’s photos”

  1. Allison Avatar
    Allison

    Hiya, you could try polaroidising (new word for you) some of your own photo’s. I recently downloaded a program called Poladroid Project (it’s freeware but you can financially support the program if you wish). It’s bucket loads of fun.
    Here’s the link:
    http://www.poladroid.net/
    and they have a flickr page -> http://www.flickr.com/groups/poladroid/

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  2. Paisley Avatar
    Paisley

    Definitely easier to collect other people’s old photos. If you do get an Polaroid camera, make sure that you also have a source for getting polaroid-type film. I got a long explanation a few months ago from my camera-collecting/afficionado cousin about how manufacture of polaroid-type film has virtually ceased worldwide and so the only sources are now whatever is left in warehouses.

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  3. Janelle Avatar
    Janelle

    These are just amazing. I love found things, it’s a glimpse into someone else’s life.

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  4. Jennie Avatar
    Jennie

    I love old Polaroid photos – its that musty tinge they have.

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  5. Silke Avatar
    Silke

    I love finding old photographs in 2nd hand shops, and these ones are very lovely.

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  6. Margaret Oomen Avatar
    Margaret Oomen

    the sepia tones and subject matter are very earth day appropriate.
    Happy earth day melissa!!

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  7. Denise | Chez Danisse Avatar
    Denise | Chez Danisse

    It’s interesting seeing the world through other people’s eyes, especially if you don’t know the person. I’ve collected some 2nd hand postcards because I was so intrigued by the potential stories/lives behind the one small clue I’d collected. I wonder who made your photos…what type of life they lived back then and how they live now.

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  8. tinyhappy Avatar
    tinyhappy

    hi allison- thank you so much for that! i will try it.
    – melissa

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  9. tinyhappy Avatar
    tinyhappy

    thanks paisley- i thought it might be like that! although i did hear the woman behind this project on the radio the other day- sounds promising!?
    http://www.the-impossible-project.com/

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  10. lazytronix-b Avatar
    lazytronix-b

    what a cool find! interesting and beautiful.

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  11. Angie Muldowney Avatar
    Angie Muldowney

    I love old photos like these, I’m glad they get to live another day 🙂
    I am a Polaroid nutter and can thoroughly recommend it! There’s still film about if you know where to look and The Imposible Project have started production of new film for some Polaroid camera’s http://www.the-impossible-project.com/
    If you can get hold of an SX-70 (the collapsible sort in brown leather – without the sonar focussing) then I’m sure you’d love it. It’s an SLR so you can control the focus and get lovely depths of field.
    I am happy to help you (or anyone) who’s not sure which Polaroid to get 🙂
    There’s lots of Polaroids on my blog http://www.lemonlight.org
    and in my flickr account http://www.flickr.com/photos/angies/sets/72157609291436399/

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  12. tinyhappy Avatar
    tinyhappy

    hi angie,
    thanks so much for your thoughts and tips. i will definitely get in touch with you before i buy a polaroid camera- ive seen a few for sale on our online auction site here in nz (kind of like a small ebay.)
    i adore your photos and often wondered what sort of camera you use. x

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  13. Lucille Avatar
    Lucille

    Those photos are so ‘you’. I’m glad you found them.

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  14. Molly Avatar
    Molly

    Funny, I’ve always thought photos from that era (my childhood) were horribly over-green and yellowed. But these, oh my, they are lovely, lovely. Good for you, for finding their second life.

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