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Which Board? => Main Forum => : Ed Wenn April 24, 2012, 03:07:48 PM

: When Photography Was A Sport
: Ed Wenn April 24, 2012, 03:07:48 PM
It's a little known fact that before the world changed and we lost our sense of fun, photography used to be a competitive team sport watched by thousands of fans. Don't believe me? Well, here's the evidence. At a packed Polo Grounds stadium in the USA back in 1913 two of the giants of Competitive Team Photography faced each other in the final of the World Series. This picture shows 1914's surprise package, the Box Reflex Mob, limbering up in front of their supporters as they prepared to face the might of 8 time Series winners, the Stereo Society (team motto, "We're Double the Trouble!").

As we all know, the Box Reflex Mob were the eventual winners thanks mainly to the breathtaking attacking (offensive) play of their three Front Lensmen: Jerry 'Bowler' Eastman, Sam 'Trilby' Harman and the diminutive Stanley 'Flat Cap' Whippet seen in strict 'game formation' to the right of the picture.

(http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4048/4350887727_ee7040ed92_z.jpg?zz=1) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/library_of_congress/4350887727/)
Photographers - Polo Grounds (LOC) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/library_of_congress/4350887727/#) by The Library of Congress (http://www.flickr.com/people/library_of_congress/), on Flickr
: Re: When Photography Was A Sport
: LT April 24, 2012, 03:47:25 PM
Ed - are you sure they are cameras?  They look like the portable version of the "What the butler saw" Mutoscope to me:

(http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSnJLyGZWGsKdEOINZH_-fmBW76CTSf-wvzJ4n1JhAjPiuHG-owjg)

It's probably a group of gentlemen enjoying some early 20th century soft porn.
: Re: When Photography Was A Sport
: Miles April 24, 2012, 05:05:59 PM

Love the gait of second from the left ... Business Time ...
: Re: When Photography Was A Sport
: Ed Wenn April 24, 2012, 08:36:37 PM
Yes, that's quite the stance our man has adopted there :-)
: Re: When Photography Was A Sport
: Late Developer April 24, 2012, 08:47:12 PM
Yes, that's quite the stance our man has adopted there :-)

Yup. I'm not a medical man but my guess is his "Farmer Giles" are giving him jip... :o
: Re: When Photography Was A Sport
: sapata April 24, 2012, 09:35:14 PM

Love the gait of second from the left ... Business Time ...

I was going to say that when I scrolled down the page...
: Re: When Photography Was A Sport
: Ed Wenn April 24, 2012, 10:37:35 PM
Isn't it a bl**dy wonderful picture though?
: Re: When Photography Was A Sport
: Francois April 24, 2012, 10:57:15 PM
Definitely!
Seeing that, I somehow miss the bowler hats and ties. So classy :)

Besides, if you're in trouble, you could always club your opponent K.O. with a single blow using the camera!
: Re: When Photography Was A Sport
: Miles April 24, 2012, 11:23:22 PM
My wife turns away when I use a TLR for the same reason, she says I look a bit 1970's sex comedy, and not in a good way ...
: Re: When Photography Was A Sport
: Ed Wenn April 25, 2012, 11:45:15 AM
It's probably a group of gentlemen enjoying some early 20th century soft porn.

.... Now that's a concept worthy of Monty Python. Did you ever hear their sketch based on live commentary as Thomas Hardy sits down to write his next novel? It's hilarious (http://www.wepsite.de/novel%20writing.htm (http://www.wepsite.de/novel%20writing.htm) for a transcript and an MP3). I can see the same treatment working for "a group of gentlemen enjoying some early 20th century soft porn watched by thousands of fans".
: Re: When Photography Was A Sport
: Photo_Utopia April 25, 2012, 01:52:48 PM
Great picture! I too love the guy on the left, I think you could put a comment balloon from the man looking at him "do you need to borrow my snakeskin truss'? or something similar.

 ;D