4th Edition Smile For The Camera - A Carnival of Images

THE CARNIVAL'S IN TOWN

Welcome to the 4th Edition of Smile For The Camera!

My Favorite Photograph

This has been a Sofie's Choice Smile For The Camera. How could anyone choose just one photograph as their favorite, the one they wouldn't part with for a King's ransom? How indeed!

This carnival accomplished what I had hoped it would. Each participant stopped and reflected on every photograph they owned and carefully considered their selection and why it was chosen.

I did the same with my photographs. It was good to take another look at them and determine what each particular photograph meant to me and why. The album below is filled with very personal choices. Some amusing, some loving, some rare, and some heartbreaking for how important they were to you.

Open the cover and browse the 4th Edition of Smile For The Camera's album of favorite photographs.

::~::~::~::

The first favorite photograph in the Smile Album is courtesy of Jessica Oswalt posted at Jessica's Genejournal. Jessica's picture of Montana, One of my Favorite Photos ...; is "one of" because she couldn't pick just one favorite.

~::~

Jasia of Creative Gene also had a difficult time selecting one favorite, as her title so aptly indicates. How did she solve the dilemma? By creating a beautiful scrapbook page of two among her "one and only" photos in My Favorite Photo? Yeah, right.

~::~

les dysom presents The Sartorialist: The Perfect Summer Look posted at Fashion Hobo. Follow the link to les' favorite summer wear fashion photograph. Very GQ. And while you're there check out the how to tie a tie video.

~::~

Schelly Talalay Dardashti of Tracing The Tribe, offers Smiling faces: New Jersey, Moscow, Teheran, selections presented based on family geography. Schelly also offers some very good advice, "If you have inherited boxes of photos, do something about them today." I couldn't agree more!

~::~

The commitment phobic Terry Snyder selects her favorite photograph, in Stories My Grandmother Told Me posted at the Desktop Genealogist, even though the selection might hurt the other photographs' feelings. This is a wonderful story by an excellent writer who never fails to deliver. The presentation of the photograph is ingenious!

~::~

Wendy Littrell shows us and tells us of Two Sisters in Two Photos posted at All My Branches Genealogy. Wendy looks at her Grandmother Vesta "before" and "wonders." Reflections on the lives and the photographs not to be missed.

~::~

Sasha Mitchell introduces us to Righteous Gladys! at Memory Lane. Sasha says, " I love this picture! . . . it speaks to me." One glance and you will understand why. I certainly "Took Heed" and so will you when you meet Gladys in all her glory!

~::~

I am a fan of Rebecca Fenning's blog A Sense of Face. Her writing has a quiet confidence coupled with her photographer's eye for the accompaniment of a good photograph. One of her favorite photographs of all time is the mirror for her story ethel and arthur, ca 1927 redux. Hold up the photograph, look in the mirror, it's filled with a story.

~::~

Oh what a life Becky Wiseman has led! If you don't believe me check out the story and photos in her article favorite foto - really? posted at kinexxions. Now I'm not sure that really is Becky in the freezer, you be the judge. And be careful when you visit this post, the government may be watching.

~::~

Terry Thornton tells us his favorite history photograph is the JOHN SHERMAN THORNTON: Family Photo Circa 1915 posted at Hill Country of Monroe County, Mississippi. "Besides showing my grandparents, my father as a boy, several of my aunts, an uncle by marriage, and two first cousins, the photograph when removed from the frame shows two family pets --- two feist dogs. The photograph is thought to have been made at the family home at Weaver's Creek near Parham, Monroe County, Mississippi."

~::~

Miss Jocelyn, our youngest carnival participant, visits again to show us Cowtown Boots posted at A Pondering Heart. Aren't those the fashion accessory used to kick cockroaches into corners? Welcome back Miss Jocelyn!

~::~

Sheri Bush of TwigTalk participates in Smile For The Camera with her Favorite Photo - My First Carnival. The decision wasn't as difficult as Sheri had first thought. She also had the great good fortune to being able to question the portrait's sitter as to the circumstances surrounding the taking of her favorite photograph. This is a post not to miss!

~::~

Laura immediately thought of The Goat Cart Picture when the "My Favorite Photograph" edition of the carnival was announced. Goats pulling carts in Queens, now there's a picture only seen at The Virtual Dime Museum! Although taken in 1896, Laura even knows the goat's name, thanks to the writing on the back. What a great photo!

~::~

Kathryn Lake Hogan shares Kindergarten Baby with us at LOOKING4ANCESTORS. Oh, Kathryn, your photograph is just too cute for words. So don't spend any more time reading, go look at this little beauty!

~::~

Randy Seaver introduces us to a period photograph of John Richman in his article Genea-Musings: John Richman (1788-1867) and Ann Marshman (1784-1856) posted at Genea-Musings. An expert commenting on this photograph said,"He is wearing a traditional Wiltshire smock, his neckerchief would most likely have been red and his hat was fashionable about 50 years before the picture was done, so he probably had it for years, but kept it for Sunday best. I think you will find he was a farmer as well as a butcher. . ." The entire article is extremely well researched and the photograph is captivating.

~::~

Julie Cahill Tarr's Favorite Photo at GenBlog doesn't have any smiles in the photograph. But that didn't keep it from being one of Julie's favorites. Her mom, on the other hand, was smiling so much so that she ran and got the camera! The photograph is still capturing smiles and I'll bet yours is one of them. Take a look!

~::~

Sheri Fenley shares her most cherished photograph in her Submission For Smile For The Camera. Sheri, of The Educated Genealogist, gets a bit of an education herself when she discovers her father had been a kid in the olden days! I see a family resemblance between your Dad and a certain photograph of you, Sheri!

~::~

Ruth Stephens photograph, Smile For The Camera!, is her favorite. An extremely poignant snapshot in which Ruth expertly traces the timing and analyzes the three faces. You can see the resolve in the photograph, Ruth. A definite passage portrait and an important family treasure at Bluebonnet Country Genealogy.

~::~

John Newmark found My Favorite? posted at Transylvanian Dutch to be a very unfair challenge. He rises to the challenge, though, as any good Missourian would! He creates a family tree photograph and shares a rare four generations portrait. As I've said John, my favorite changes by the moment. And if I ask him again, he will "Show Me" an entirely different photograph.

~::~

A new home, a family heirloom and the lights of Miriam's life make up her favorite photograph in My Favorite Photograph posted at AnceStories: The Stories of My Ancestors. One of those moments in time etched in your heart and captured in a photograph. The perfect favorite Miriam!

~::~

Colleen presents an original solution to the "I can't pick just one photograph" in My Favorite Photograph posted at Orations of OMcHodoy. Colleen creates a collage. Very clever. In her collage she brings together parents, aunts, and grandparents in their youth . . . reminding her they brought their personalities and experiences to those roles. High marks for ingenuity, Colleen!

~::~

Pam Taylor's favorite photograph, featured in her article The ride of a lifetime...., posted at Genealogy, doesn't show how much her mother challenged her to try something new. The story does. The woman in the photograph didn't know the meaning of the words "I can't," Pam says. And Pam was fortunate to inherit that attitude from her mother. This is an amazing photograph once you know the story and a tale as big as the Grand Canyon!

~::~

I love the photograph Debra Osborne Spindle has chosen as her Favorite Photo posted at All My Ancestors. Two very sharp young men in a photograph that raises more questions then it provides answers. What were they up to Debra? If you ever solve the mystery be sure to let us all know.

~::~

A whip, a wild horse, a boy in a dress are all part of the 1894 photograph Sue Tolbert has chosen as My Favorite Picture at Nana's Diggins. A smiling toddler in an 1894 photograph is hard to find. A wonderful family photograph, thanks Sue for letting us have a peek!

~::~

A young life cut tragically short is the photograph Thomas MacEntee took only five seconds to choose. My Favorite Photograph posted at Destination: Austin Family shows a smiling woman who obviously loved life. The fashion conscious young woman modeling the hat and dress says it all. Thomas, we all want to know the truth of her unfortunate end.

~::~

Stephen J. Danko really delivers with On the Glider posted at Steve's Genealogy Blog. This is a moment in time photograph and I just love it! A trip to the park, some quality family time, those are some of the best memories. Oh, and Steve, sorry but boys did wear those shoes way back when in 1957.

~::~

Amanda Erickson couldn't select just one favorite so she treated us to the best of the best in Smile for the Camera - My Favorite Photos posted at Random Ramblings. There are some wonderful names associated with these photographs; Corrine, Drusilla, and Isabella. I can see why Amanda couldn't pick just one. And while your visiting at Amanda's blog take a look at her amazing drawings, such talent!

~::~

Tim Agazio selects not a favorite, but an obsession with Smile for the Camera posted at Genealogy Reviews Online. I am a big fan of Tim's mystery photographs and I always stop by for a look. This is one of Tim's mysteries solved. Find out who the lovely young woman turned out to be.

~::~

Denise Olson has a Sitting on the Moon portrait posted at Moultrie Creek. The moon was a very familiar prop during the period of time this photograph was taken. Trust Denise to add that something extra to her favorite's post though; a drawing by the young man in the photograph. An interesting photo and an equally interesting story Denise.

~::~

Taneya, another digi-scrapper, places her favorite photograph in a "Spring Tulip" layout for My Favorite Photograph posted at Taneya's Genealogy Blog. Taneya also confesses she loves seeing her name in print because she loves her name. I love it too and will put your name in print every time you Smile For The Camera. And if you have any more photographs like this one we should be seeing your name in print often.

~::~

Laura, does an excellent job of detective work in identifying the family members in her favorite photograph, Dating an Old Family Photograph - Case Study, at Life at the Home20. Laura created a time line and paid close attention to obvious and not so obvious clues contained in this photograph. A very logical look at photographic identification. I think she's got it!

~::~

Lisa favorite photograph, If only this photograph had musical accompaniment posted at 100 Years in America, honors the man whose sacrifices benefited her life. His decision to immigrate and his tireless work to support his family started them off on a successful life in the new world. Lisa's excellent writing brings the photo, the man, and the family to life. You'll enjoy this one.

~::~

Elizabeth O'Neal tells us that if her house were on fire, and she could only save one photograph, this would be the one for which she would risk life and limb to rescue, Worth More than 1,000 Words at Little Bytes of Life. When you see the photograph you will immediately understand the risk Elizabeth's willing to take.

~::~

Susan J. Edminster isn't sure why she selected this photograph posted in Why Do I Love You? at her Echo Hill Ancestors Weblog. She is fascinated by the photograph and the mystery. So much so she took a road trip to find the answer. I know this fascination first hand. It can soon become an obsession, or has it already?

~::~

Richard Creek's, My Favorite Photograph posted at The Cheek That Doth Not Fade, had me laughing out loud. A funny Irish priest? So Monty Python. And so is the photo that goes with the story. And Richard, you're something straight out of the Little Rascals. I really enjoyed this post, it's a hoot!

~::~

Kathryn Doyle gives us a look at a then and then and then photograph in her article, A Photograph of Bygone Days, posted at the California Genealogical Society and Library blog. A glimpse of her home away from home, inside and out. I have been to this spot in Oakland, but never inside the Society and Library. Someday. The size of this photograph is remarkable as is the photograph itself and Kathryn's history lesson. Nice sourcing by the way!

~::~

Janet Hovorka's favorite photograph is the family history picture she couldn't do without because "these are the people who brought our family name to the new world. The oldest picture we have of any Hovorka." It is a beautiful studio portrait found at Smile for the Camera, Carnival of Images--The Hovorkas posted at The Chart Chick. A lovely tribute Janet.

~::~

George shows us two of but hundreds, his Favorite Photographs. A magnificent hat on a beautiful woman and a group of musicians having the time of their life! Yes, George, these are particularly cool. A feast for the eyes at George GederGenealogy-Photography-Restoration .

~::~

Donna Pointkouski struggled with the selection of a favorite photograph, but in the end One of Many Favorite Photographs posted at What's Past is Prologue had won her heart. And the heart of another family member as well. We're anxious to see that corresponding photo and the story as only you can tell it, Donna.

~::~

And closing the cover on this Smile Album is Yes, It's Who You Think It Is!, and no we're not related. A photograph taken by my Grandfather Edward Jesse Greene and displayed at footnoteMaven. As always, my ancestors and Clark Gable are here to Smile For The Camera!

Thank You All!

Thank you to everyone who participated in this fantastic 4th Edition of Smile For The Camera and welcome to all the first-time contributors. (40 participants!) A great success and a step toward a medal in the Genea-Bloggers Games! It is evident from each and every article that a great deal of time, effort and love went into each photographic contribution. As Randy would say, please take a moment to stop and comment and show your appreciation!

::~::~::~::

Now The Call For Submissions!

5th EDITION

Smile For The Camera ~ A Carnival of Images

The word prompt for the 5th Edition of Smile For The Camera is Crowning Glory. Show us those wonderful photographs of hairdos and maybe even a few don'ts. Don't limit yourself to just hair fashion through the ages, got a great photograph of a hat, helmet, bonnet, or some other interesting headgear? Share!

Choose a photograph of an ancestor, relative, yourself, or an orphan photograph that is the epitome of Crowning Glory and bring it to the carnival. Admission is free with every photograph!

Your submission may include as many or as few words as you feel are necessary to describe your treasured photograph. Those words may be in the form of an expressive comment, a quote, a journal entry, a poem (your own or a favorite), a scrapbook page, or a heartfelt article. The choice is yours!

Deadline for submission is midnight (PT)
10 September, 2008.

HOW TO SUBMIT:

There are two options:

1. Send an email to the host, footnoteMaven. Include the title and permalink URL of the post you are submitting, and the name of your blog. Put 'Smile For The Camera' clearly in the title of your email!

2. Use the handy submission form provided by Blog Carnival, or select the Bumper Sticker in the upper right hand corner.

See you at the Carnival!

Past Editions Of Smile For The Camera:

1st Edition ~ Mother Love

2nd Edition - Belles & Beaus

3rd Edition - Celebrate Home

4th Edition - My Favorite Photograph