Vintage work crew photos

**Jon** · Nov 29, 2018, 08:03 PM

Line of drop hammers in forge shop, Midvale Steel & Ordnance Co. Eddystone, PA Apr. 1918

Fullsize image: https://diqn32j8nouaz.cloudfront.net...w_fullsize.jpg

**Ralphxyz** · Nov 30, 2018, 02:15 PM

Seems to be a lot of people just standing around watching the line work.

Ralph

**philipUsesWood&Brass** · Dec 3, 2018, 12:25 PM

Originally Posted by Ralphxyz

Seems to be a lot of people just standing around watching the line work.

Ralph

Ralph, they all have What Appears tobe tongs holding "whatever" feeding into the drop hammer. What "got to me" was no safety devices for NOISE !!!

philip from the Great Pacific NorthWET.

**PJs** · Nov 30, 2018, 03:32 PM

The guy half way down the line is giving the camera guy the L@@K! Great pic though, all the way to the grease on the rack and pinions and the guy in the corner with his hands on his hips lookin' like "Well I'll tell ya". A bit of water mold damage a quite scratched but for 100 years old in pretty good shape!

**Jon** · Nov 30, 2018, 10:32 PM

U.S. Naval Gun Factory, Washington Navy Yard, Washington D.C. 1917.

Fullsize image: https://diqn32j8nouaz.cloudfront.net...w_fullsize.jpg

**Frank S** · Dec 1, 2018, 08:51 AM

Originally Posted by Jon

Fullsize image: https://diqn32j8nouaz.cloudfront.net...w_fullsize.jpg

This picture was taken without many of the workers knowing what was going on. note how most are ghosted or slightly blurred while the depth and clarity of the building and machines is great.

**VinnieL** · Dec 1, 2018, 08:38 PM

It is a beautiful photo with great sharp detail that could only be achieved with a very small aperature and longer shutter time. That is probably why the movement is evident in the workers. It is amazing that photos such as these are still around. It is a credit to whomever developed and printed the negatives, washing them properly to archival standards.

**Clockguy** · Dec 2, 2018, 07:04 AM

I hope that some of you, who are not clicking on the "original photo" above the photo that these guys are posting, will take time to look at that original photo. The definition is much clearer, some of these were taken with equipment which modern photographers consider "antique" but the definition of many of the original photos far exceeds the "save" capabilities of our modern digital procedures. Some are probably in their RAW state and can be processed with PhotoShop or some other quality photo editor to further enhance the looks of the image. Just a few thoughts from an old amateur .....

**PJs** · Dec 1, 2018, 11:08 AM

Agreed the contrast and lighting is excellent. In 1912 there wasn't much (exposure triangle- shutter speed, aperture and ISO[2006]) adjustment available so ghosting is very common prior to about the mid 40's. People that can shoot and develop this quality of B&W in 1912 were true artists.

Thanks Jon...got that one too...it's a perfect example for something I'm working on!

PJ

**PJs** · Dec 2, 2018, 11:45 AM

Well Said, Clockguy. Paricularly "But, it seems that I have an even stronger thirst for knowing how and when and why we are where we are and what we have become today." and the whole last paragraph. Bravo!

One of my favorite quotes/saying/songs come to mind.

I think over again my small adventures.
My fears,
Those small ones that seemed so big.
For all the vital things I had to get and reach.
And yet there is only one great thing,
The only thing,
To live to see the great day that dawns and the light that fills the world.

Old Inuit song

These captured moments feel like that square yard to me and being able to appreciate the details and the magnitude and complexity of that simple yard.

PJ