Ars Publik » Daily Life

Stock Image of Cathedral in Amsterdam

Evan — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 20:56:23 +0000

This public domain stock image is from the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division, Detroit Publishing Company Collection.

This fascinating stock image from the late nineteenth century captures a street scene and interesting architectural features in Amsterdam, Holland. In the near foreground, crowds of people are mingling with trolley cars and an ornate streetlight. Just beyond, a large statue towers above the street. The street is lined with multi-story buildings, a cathedral and hotels.

This stock image was developed in photochrom. This technique dates back to the 1880s and was employed by the several US firms during the early twentieth century. This developing method required a mix of toxic chemicals and the application of tints rubbed onto the final print using stones.

The vast majority of the photos within the Detroit Publishing Company Collection were published during the early twentieth century prior to 1920, when the company folded. These images meet the pre-1923 publication date requirement for inclusion into the public domain. The collection of stock images held by the Library of Congress was passed between a series of libraries and historical societies in the years following the closure. We assume that the purpose of these transactions was to increase public access to these photographs. The Library of Congress notes, “No known restrictions on reproduction.” For these reasons, we assume that all images within this collection are in the public domain.

24 megabyte TIFF. Hosted at the Library of Congress.

Great Photograph of Circus Madness

Evan — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 21:59:11 +0000

This is a public domain photograph from the Farm Security Administration/Office of War Information Color Photographs Collection in the Library of Congress.

As far are great public domain stock images go, this is one of the best. Jack Delano, working for the FSA, captured a carnival barker surrounded by his circus accoutrement. A sign to the left of the podium reads, “See Teddy the Wrestling Bear,” while one above implies that a 618 lb. snake is waiting inside. This is a colorful stock image with great potential. A live pelican also makes an appearance in this photograph.

This photo was taken by Jack Delano, who was working as an agent of the United States government. Because this image was taken by an employee of the federal government, it is in the public domain.

42 megabyte TIFF. Hosted at the Library of Congress.

Peach Cart Photograph

Evan — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:54:00 +0000

This is a photograph from the Farm Security Administration/Office of War Information Color Photographs Collection in the Library of Congress.

This photograph by Russell Lee frames a peaceful rural/agricultural scene. The subject of the image is a man guiding a horse-drawn wagon loaded with full peach crates between rows of peach trees. This image was captured in Delta County, Colorado.

Many of the photographs in the FSA Color Photographs Collection are markedly crystal clear, but this image exhibits quite a bit of noise. This is particularly the case in the darker regions of the image. Not all noise is bad, and I find that in this example it creates a slightly surreal effect.

This photo was taken by Russell Lee, who was working as an agent of the United States Government. Because this image was taken by an employee of the federal government, it is in the public domain.

45 megabyte TIFF. Hosted at the Library of Congress.

Tobacco Farmers: Windsor Locks, Connecticut

Evan — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 23:14:48 +0000

This wonderful public domain photograph comes from the Farm Security Administration – Office of War Information Photograph Collection in the Library of Congress. The subjects are a Polish farming couple. The woman in the photo appears to be laughing at something that the gentlemen has said, possibly about his pants, which he is hoisting. Rows of tobacco are seen drying in the shed behind the figures.

This photo was taken by Jack Delano, who was working as an agent of the United States government, and is therefore assumed to be in the public domain.

12 megabyte TIFF. Hosted at the Library of Congress.

Interior of a General Store in Moundville, Alabama

Evan — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 22:53:53 +0000

This public domain photograph comes from the Farm Security Administration – Office of War Information Photograph Collection in the Library of Congress. The subject is the interior of a general store in Moundville, Alabama. The shelves are well-stocked with merchandise.

This photo was shot by Walker Evans, who was acting as an agent of the United States government. It is therefore in the public domain.

10 megabyte TIFF. Hosted at the Library of Congress.

Woman in an Empty Kitchen

Evan — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 21:27:14 +0000

This stark public domain photograph comes from the Farm Security Administration – Office of War Information Photograph Collection in the Library of Congress. It frames an empty kitchen filled with white cabinets with black hinges. Right of center a woman stands facing diagonally away from the camera.

This photo was taken by Lee, Russell, working as an agent of the United States Government and it therefor assumed to be in the public domain.

21 megabyte TIFF. Hosted at the Library of Congress.