Christmas 1948. An apartment in Washington Heights, New York.

By Jean Bredin of Ocean Grove:

This is one of my favorite old photos..the Christmas tree was laden with tinsel…not many ornaments…….just tinsel.

My Dad’s hobby was photography. He owned a still camera and movie camera. He used to develop his photographs in the kitchen.There would be hell to pay if you opened the door and overexposed his pictures. I can still see that red glow from the bulb in his ‘darkroom and smell the developing solutions.

I think my Dad was the first person on planet Earth that bought the first video camera—-movies and sound!     Of course he turned every party or event into a T.V show.  He was the master of ceremonies.and he  created comedy skits incorporating every member of the family.  You could never have a normal get together; it became shtick for his movies; but we always had a good laugh!

He eventually videotaped all his old home movies, so whenever we want, we enjoy watching days gone by.

I will be forever grateful for his legacy….

JOY AND REGIS PHILBIN:

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Posted in Story behind the photograph on Blogfinger | Tagged Christmas 1948 Washington Heights | 5 Comments

5 Responses

1. on December 4, 2015 at 1:29 pm Paulie D

   Great capturing of a true family moment. The print slip covers and draperies bring back memories of a different and uncomplicated era. Thanks for sharing the story.

   
   
2. on December 4, 2015 at 7:56 am Flo DeBaker

   Memories are beautiful and the keepsakes of our treasures. Thank you for sharing.

   
   
3. on December 3, 2015 at 2:45 pm Yankee George

   ……..so Jean you are continuing his legacy with YOUR camera.

   
   
4. on December 2, 2015 at 9:53 pm Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger

   I can’t help but notice a certain simplicity of life evident in Jean’s family photo. It was after the war, and the country was springing back to life. “Boomer” kids were being born, and America’s towns and cities were being reborn.

   There were certain virtues and values back then including religion, modesty, manners, courtship, marriage, family, honesty, respect, elegance in dress, and pride in home–even if just an apartment, simply furnished, in Morningside Heights.

   Are we as a nation experiencing a vanishing culture? Replacing what was gentle and kind for one that is coarse, rushed, and disdainful? Or is it just a natural evolution seen as one generation merges into another, each with its own perceptions ?

   
   
5. on December 2, 2015 at 11:48 am Blogfinger

   Thanks Jean for the memory. If any of you have a photograph with a story, please submit for consideration to Blogfinger@verizon.net
   Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger