T is for Taos, NM. My memory of Taos is intertwined with taking photos with my mother’s Brownie camera, which was probably a Starflex, with an aluminum reflector that flipped up from the top of the camera. To capture an image, I had to look down into the camera, which fascinated me at age 7, since what I wanted to photograph was in front of me. The round adobe ovens of the Taos Pueblo reminded me of the igloo shape often associated with Canada even if you lived in a city like I did.
For the first time, when I got these photos out, I noticed that there was a name on the sign in front of the Mission Church, San Francisco de Asis, and discovered this is the church that artists were inspired by, including Georgia O’Keefe and Ansel Adams.
The Taos Pueblo was many interconnected spaces, yet unified with the adobe. The photo my sister Cate and I was probably taken by my mother, who was the original owner of the camera.
Bonus for Orange Tuesday: Taos brings orange out in many artists and this painting by Pat Pollard is an orange delight.
Source: patpollardart.com via Margaret on Pinterest
Very artful indeed and the orange one is a delight. The shadows give the shot quite a different look. Have to say I really like the San Francisco de Asis Mission Church shot.
Silvia
Thank you Silvia. The Mission Church is my favorite too.
The first camera I used was a Brownie. It was my grandpa’s camera. He was a photographer. I loved how it felt to hold it at my chest, look down, and see what I could capture. Great photos of you as a youngster. And, I love that orange, SW inspired, painting!
That’s cool that your grandpa was a photographer and you got to use his Brownie.
Your pictures are really neat! Orange Tuesday is pretty cool too – nice painting!
Welcome and thank you for the kind words.
Wonderful vintage photos of Taos, and I loved reading the description of the old camera. Brought back so many precious memories.