Mastodawn

4/10 from my series of 19th century photos

This light-leaked image is as much a portrait of the anonymous photographer as it is of the couple.

Consider the skewed angle/position of the camera, the haphazard outdoor composition, the newspaper casually tossed on the ground.

In my imagination, these are the photographer's parents indulging in their son's new passion on an early summer night in New England.

@jeremyosborn The low angle here is what grabs me. Obviously, no tripod.

@colorblindcowboy Yes, it's an unusual angle and framing for the time. But also, haven't we all been there?

"No tripod! I need something, anything, to prop this thing up, hmmm, this rock will do..."

@jeremyosborn Exactly. At first I was thinking a self-portrait with a timer, but I’m pretty sure that was a later advancement.