I found a small manilla envelope filled with pictures of my parents in their early twenties. Two had such fantastic, accidental composition that I decided to blow them up and hang them in the living room. The images are of a trip my parents took to the Argentine pampas in the 60s. My dad’s uncle owned a cattle ranch, and for most of my childhood all my dad would talk about was how much fun he had spending summers there as a child. My mom, a born and bred city girl afraid of most animals, doesn’t share the same memories.
Doesn’t the one of my mom on a horse look like something a hipster would stage? I love the faded colors and blurry images. A simple scan of the images isn’t enough to preserve the (questionable) quality at large scale, but I did get a tip from a designer on how to enlarge old images on the cheap. I’ll be sure to share the process if it works. I hope it does; I think the images, with all their scratches and innocence, will give our home warmth and history.
Here are some inspiration images I’ve collected over the last few years. The final image of Jen Altman’s home is what officially started the hunt in 2009. Most of the large scale photography I’ve seen in magazines and blogs have been of populated beaches. I’m going to bring back the ranch and give the look a California casual vibe. (Fingers crossed.)
LOVE THIS. And yes, your mom could be a hipster icon.
Love these, especially the last two large scale photos with the kids.. I could totally see the picture you took of your boys for the Christmas cards blown up.
Yes, that’s one I had planned for the family room. That, or a Star Wars one. Maybe both!
Yes, yes! Star Wars would be way cool too!
I can’t wait to hear if the process works. We have a bunch of travel photos that we like, but we have them framed on a gallery wall. I’d really like one large piece in that spot, and since a large painting isn’t in the budget, maybe a photo would work. Thanks for sharing the inspiration photos!
I am anxious to see it. I love that idea!
I am so excited to see how this project comes together. I love large scale photography and think those images will look wonderful. I love the blues and greens, and most of all, that this art is so personal.
oh cool. love the pics of them! I also love the last shots of the girl….so cute! I would love something like that of a candid of Gabs! xo
I’ve been in love with that Lulu DK photo for a while, Hillary Thomas also does it a lot and I want to, too:)
Oh, I love these photos … I do so hope it works … I can’t wait to see them!
And Star Trek photos?! LOVE it!
I have three photos of a giraffe I’d love to blow up. They’re a progression of the same fellow … one of him looking annoying, one of him looking my direction as if to say “what the?” (that one was an accidently snap as I fell into the bushes) and finally, one where he looks as though he’s laughing. Good times! :)
Love, love those photos of your parents! Bigger pieces are always better, Imo if you have the walls for it.
p.s., I’m dying my hair black and pretending the hydrangea table woman is me : )
OH and I also vote for a series of the Star Wars “out and about” pictures!
They’re beautiful (and so meaningful)! My only suggestion before you have them enlarged is to have the horizon straightened in the first image. I wish I had photographs like this…maybe that’s the reason why I became a photographer…
Good point! Now that I look at it, I wonder what that will do to the horse. Maybe my mom looks all angsty in that picture for a reason–she’s about to topple forward!
The horse will be just fine :o) I don’t know what editing software you use, but in CS5, just use the straighten horizon tool.