In a new series, John Callaway explores his family history after discovering boxes of old photographs and documents which belonged to his parents. ‘They represent a view to a bygone age,’ said John, ‘and although neither of my parents are alive to add to the story, I think that the photographs posted here are worthy of a larger audience.’ This week, John journeys from Coventry to Canada in just two photographs.
In 1960, the world was very small for a Coventry kid, just approaching his second Christmas. I have no recollection of this photograph being taken, but I do remember it sat on my grandmother’s mantlepiece until she came to live with us. The bigger picture would take a little longer to come into view, with a story that took in India, the United States and Canada, as well as various other places within the UK.
In the meantime, here’s the maxim that I want to employ for any of the photographs from my parents that end up here:
When people look at my pictures I want them to feel the way they do when they want to read a line of a poem twice.
Robert Frank, Life (26 November 1951).
And so it is with this photograph, definitely worth more than a second look…
This article was originally published on John Callaway’s website, Ideas & images from Portsmouth and beyond. You can read more of John’s writing on his website and also see his live music photography.
