Pixtus - Photography Forum, Photographers, Photo Tips

ChristopherCoy · **Remember these??? -** 07-08-2009, 05:34 PM

1970's/80's Olan Mills portraits? LOL I was viewing another thread and it reminded me of a family portrait we have from when I was 2. A quick google search turned up a mess of Olan Mills... (apparently the wagon wheel was pretty popular.)

mmuhlenkamp · 06:02 PM

I found a blog a while back that posts people's old photos (mostly from Olan Mills). The comments are mean, yet very funny, and even though I feel bad for laughing, I still do.

http://www.sexypeople-blog.com/

BWangPhoto · 07-08-2009, 09:02 PM

Very funny isn't it...yet Olan Mills hangs on more walls, has taken more portraits and made more money than 99% of the photographers on this forum and some not on this forum.

stephenthomas · 07-08-2009, 09:25 PM

This is funny , And I am employed by Olan Mills, I have seen this before and i still laughed out loud

ChristopherCoy · 07-08-2009, 09:40 PM

We have one of my mom from about 1980 or 81 I think. I was just born so its from back then sometime. She has on this gawd awful ruffle collard plaid shirt that looks like a table cloth. The 'main' picture is her face in that single spotlight on a dark background look. You know the one where they look like they are looking at the parted clouds and seeing heaven or something, yeah that one. And then up in the corner is this little 'bubble' if you will that has feathered edges and its her face from the other side.... LOL LOL We laugh at her every time we pull that thing out. That shirt was just plumb crazy...

MHampton · **Yep... -** 07-08-2009, 10:10 PM

Didn't get the wagon wheel, but it's the same backdrop as #4. This is my family from sometime in the mid 70s. Had to be before 76 because that's when my sister got married. :)

Wow, what a geek.

toverman · 07-09-2009, 12:06 AM

You can't blame Olan Mills for the way prints from that era aged, nor can the photographers be blamed for the horrible (lack of) fashion sense of the time. Some of these styles are so bad that they never came back.

ChristopherCoy · 07-09-2009, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toverman

You can't blame Olan Mills for the way prints from that era aged, nor can the photographers be blamed for the horrible (lack of) fashion sense of the time. Some of these styles are so bad that they never came back.

Just for the record, my intention wasn't to blame anything, or anyone, or suggest that Olan Mills wasn't any good. I simply thought it was rather funny to see what 'photography' was come from in all aspects. Backgrounds, poses, clothing, lighting, effects, etc....

zebulus · 07-09-2009, 08:21 AM

Vignette to white...yeah, baby.

jeffro20 · 07-09-2009, 08:22 AM

Hmmmmm....I guess Olan Mills called everybody the day before their appointment to remind them to wear the loadest shirt/top/jacket they own.

MHampton · 07-09-2009, 09:03 AM

I remember being told for school pictures to be sure and not wear anything bland because the pictures were now in COLOR! :) Imagine that!

kenw · 07-09-2009, 09:21 AM

In 30-40 years folks will look at some of your favorite pictures from TODAY and have a huge ol' heehaw time....be forewarned.....

btw, the copyright on the mullet looks to be '94.....

toverman · 07-09-2009, 09:22 AM

No worries, Chris. I think we can all agree that for a variety of reasons, these portraits stink! That combination makes them hilarious. Even the mildly attractive people look ugly.