"When I look for images, I look for something that makes you almost uncomfortable in your own skin—something that makes you observe more intently," Foster says. "That's when I know I have something that's more than just a snapshot." John Foster is a graphic design and communications professional by day, and joined by his wife as collectors of "vernacular photographs" by night. Their collected photographs have been featured at art galleries and museums, and John has worked with others to curate outsider art shows. If that wasn't enough, his collections extend beyond found photos, as previsusly featured on the blue (and as inspiration for another post).
posted by filthy light thief on Nov 29, 2010 - 10 comments

Fortepan is a collection of 4973 found amateur photos sourced mainly in Budapest. Pick a year and browse - photos are organized in chronological order from 1900 to 1990, accessible via a slider. "Users are encouraged to use, copy, send to friends, clip or paste the photos, which are free for they are not our property." (via Szanalmas, sometimes nsfw)
posted by madamjujujive on Aug 29, 2010 - 19 comments

Unknown Family. 15 years ago, he found a box of 44 negatives at a garage sale in Aiken, SC, and after wondering about them for a long time, posted them to Flickr in October 2008 in hopes of learning who the family is. There are a few clues, but the search seems to have gone cold. [more inside]
posted by Devils Rancher on Feb 21, 2009 - 58 comments

Montreal Expo 1967, through the eyes of Lillian Seymour is a giant pile of found photos scanned in by our very own clockwork. There is much to see in this time capsule of 1967 taken by this person. The women of Poland, interesting architecture, and quite possibly the scariest clown ever (I bet that kid required years of therapy). [via mefi projects]
posted by mathowie on Apr 3, 2006 - 38 comments

Archive of Found Photos at 10eastern.
posted by hama7 on Jul 17, 2004 - 30 comments