The Way of All Flesh

September 1, 2007 11:17 AM

The Way of All Flesh Fascinating series of found photographs, all of the same woman, documenting 50 years of changes. Sort of like those before and after meth photos, but without the meth and without the sleaze. Sort of not like that at all, actually. Previously (that link at bit NSFW) Also, see photobooth.net (previously) and this link (very web 2.0, that fancy "press here, no HERE" link technique) to Betty Hines' show of found photobooth photos has lots of other similar sites linked.
posted by johngumbo (25 comments total)

So my knees are only going to hurt more, huh?
posted by Kid Charlemagne at 11:23 AM on September 1, 2007

That was scarey. No offense, but she reminded me of a living dead Barbie doll woman.
posted by doctorschlock at 11:33 AM on September 1, 2007

I thought the photos in the first link were very interesting, especially seeing the changes in fashion and hairstyles (the 60s and 70s pics are "yikes," but that's what my mother and all her friends looked liked, and it seemed "normal" then).
posted by amyms at 11:37 AM on September 1, 2007

I'm a fountain of blood/in the shape of a girl...

--Björk
posted by hermitosis at 11:39 AM on September 1, 2007

i like how the pictures that have been colored over by hand sort of reflect her later overly done makeup choices.
posted by fuzzypantalones at 11:51 AM on September 1, 2007 [1 favorite]

there was a time in the 50s where she was turning into quite a looker and then yikes...
posted by empath at 11:55 AM on September 1, 2007

totally fascinating--she never should have gone blonde tho. that pic of her here in NY (not dated but 54? 55?) is fab.
posted by amberglow at 12:13 PM on September 1, 2007

LOLHAIRSTYLESHAVECHANGED
posted by TheOnlyCoolTim at 12:16 PM on September 1, 2007

That was quite cool. I got a kick out of the change in hair styles from 1960 to 1961. And I think she was kinda stylin' in the 1968 picture.
posted by quin at 12:36 PM on September 1, 2007

That was really a neat find, thanks. I kinda wish she (or whomever) hadn't scribbled on her childhood photos with colored crayon, it gave them all a spooky "Joker" from Batman feel that unsettled me.
posted by jonson at 12:38 PM on September 1, 2007 [1 favorite]

wow. I love found photos. No trip to the flea market is complete without spending a few bucks on other people's lost memories.

I would like to nominate the entire site as best of the web.
posted by billyfleetwood at 12:41 PM on September 1, 2007

I like the blurry one where she's walking down the street carrying her handbag and looks either a bit annoyed with being photographed or just lost in thought. In other words, this 'un.
posted by hojoki at 12:44 PM on September 1, 2007

I thought your comment of "before and after meth photos" was rather cruel and unnecessary.
posted by KokuRyu at 12:50 PM on September 1, 2007

The images are compelling because she's obsessed with her appearance--she's always consummately composed. In every shot, she's trying to get the tilt of her head and the purse of her lips just right. It's like seeing how Barbie dolls are marketed through the years.

I'll bet there's another 300 photos somewhere.
posted by toma at 12:59 PM on September 1, 2007

myspace 1950's style.
posted by delmoi at 1:03 PM on September 1, 2007 [1 favorite]

KokuRyU - Well, it seems to me that the fascination of those meth photos is the way life affects the way we look. The effects of meth as shown in mug shots are just an extreme version of life's normal ravages. In the photographs of this woman we see the normal "ravages" of time. I'm pretty close in age to the woman in the last of this series, and am experiencing much of that "ravage" myself. I'm not a meth addict, so the manifestations of time on my face are, like this woman, not extreme. But interesting to me, nonetheless, since it's my face that's wrinkling.
posted by johngumbo at 1:26 PM on September 1, 2007

I thought your comment of "before and after meth photos" was rather cruel and unnecessary.

It's a reference to this infamous(or another version) series of photographs.
posted by oneirodynia at 1:28 PM on September 1, 2007

This was cool. I'm guessing she had a bratty little brother. I really like the transistion from gawky teen to sophisitcated older woman. Perhaps she got married between these two photographs. The makeup in the last few photos is unfortunate, but everyone was piling it on in that era.
posted by oneirodynia at 1:43 PM on September 1, 2007

Real. Forced.
posted by Mblue at 1:56 PM on September 1, 2007

"before and after meth photos"

These pictures show the devastating effects of Mascara Abuse.
posted by wendell at 3:44 PM on September 1, 2007 [1 favorite]

What's with the outfit in the two 1957 images? Was that meant to even be worn in public? Rowr!
posted by Nelson at 4:23 PM on September 1, 2007

Great link--thank you. This is a fantastic set of found photos!
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 4:53 PM on September 1, 2007

Aren't these wonderful?! Catching a glips of a person's life, behind their eyes, over the course of her life is such a treat. Great site find.
posted by johnj at 8:18 PM on September 1, 2007

Nelson, i bet that outfit is a bathing suit.
posted by lapolla at 9:05 PM on September 1, 2007

1/21/53 is soooo Myspace.
posted by Saellys at 10:52 PM on September 1, 2007