Picture: Nampeyo, Navajo Potter at work in her studio. Photo by Edward Curtis. Description by the artist: Every visitor at East mesa knows Nampeyo, the potter of Hano, whose creations excel those of any rival. Stranger wander into her house, welcome though unbidden, but Nampeyo only works and smiles. In the plate her paint-stone occupies the central foreground.
Preface: Some of you may know that I don’t just do photography, or play photographer, but that I also offer my services as a photo editor or researcher from time to time.
This last winter, I got the chance to work on a book project that dealt with Native Americans, and their history, culture, and traditions. This was one of those classic cases where you are sitting at a table across from a client, and they are asking for your help. They’re asking for an extra 80 – 100 hours worth of your time, and your whole body is screaming at you that your plate is already fully loaded. Your brain is saying NO NO NO, but the opportunity is just so cool, the only words that come out of your mouth are, “Sure, sounds great.”
As part of my Research and Acquisition work, I got to spend hours searching through a number of our country’s greatest collections and repositories. I used to love the original LIFE Magazine, and the chance to really see a part of our history was a wonderful experience. Now, I’m not just talking about Native Americans, or just the famous photos, but the faces of everyday people, doing everyday things, in everyday places, taken by the every-guy working photographers.
If you’re interested in exploring some history for yourself:
The photograph above is part of the Edward Curtis Collection. This is part of the Library of Congress’ American Memory Collection. Of course, for this project, I spent most of my time working in the Native American History area, especially the Denver Public Library’s Collection, History of the American West: 1860 – 1920. One of the other great resources worth checking out is SIRIS, or the Smithsonian Institution Research Information System. There you can search through the Archival, Manuscript, and Photographs Collections Catalog (that also includes sound recordings, btw), or cruise the Image Gallery.
Sounds like a very rewarding project Gary. I’d be interested in seeing the finished product.
btw, i think my comment problem was because of the firewall they use at the Times. still weird tho because I don’t have that problem w/ Ron and Jim’s blog.