Mysterious Treasures
Recently, I came across a vintage Argus camera with a black leatherette body and brown leather case – the same kind my father and grandfather used to take photographs of our family with. I was amazed at how heavy and sturdy it feels...no wonder it was nick-named “the Brick”. The Argus was a popular camera from the 1940’s - 1960’s because it was reasonably priced and took amazingly sharp and artistic, contrasty photographs. The camera has a 50mm 1:3.5 lens and a focal range of 3 feet to infinity. There is no built in exposure meter so the photographer had to use a hand held meter and then manually adjust the aperture and shutter speed...or use the f/16 rule and wing it. Can you imagine?
I wondered about the photographs this camera might have captured. On a whim, I decided to see if the camera had film in it…I was intrigued by the thought that there might be images waiting to be developed. I took the camera into the darkest room in the house and gently opened the back cover to feel inside the camera body. To my delight, there was a roll of film wound tight. I re-wound it back into the cartridge and set in it in a safe place until I could decide what to do with it. Of course, my first instinct was to find someone who could develop the film. Being able to recover a moment captured in time is alluring. I realize that there might be nothing there – it might have been a brand new roll of film, never shot – or because the film is 20-30 years old, it might not be realistic to expect any images to appear. But there is a curiosity that gnaws at me – that wants to see the possible images waiting to tell their story. And then the “do-right” side of me kicks in and reminds me that maybe this is private – maybe the images are where they are meant to be – safe inside the Kodacolor canister.
So for now, the canister – and its mystery – sits inside a cupboard – safe and cool. Waiting. After all, it has been a mystery for several decades...so what’s a little more time?
And as for my moral dilemma…I remain conflicted. Develop the film or let it be...what would you do?
-Denise
I would develop the film, after reading your blog, I was disappointed to find out that the film was not developed.
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I LOVE THIS POST! awesome pictures
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I agree with both commenters. I was expecting the photos to be posted at the end.
My opinion... get it developed. no one takes photos for them to sit in the canister.
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Like everyone above - I absolutely loved this story...
It reminds me of another one you told me about 40 or so years ago about a loose brick in a hardscape wall in your front yard and the treasure map that was found behind it. Not sure if you remember that, but I was captivated for years.
Process the film!
xo
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