Lens-Artists Challenge #320 – Looking Back

lens-artists, Photography

Sofia asked for us to look back. Her post is ➡ Looking Back can be found there with memories and lovely photos.

I had trouble as which way to go with this challenge my first thought was to share photos of a photo album of my father, as in months time will be father’s day here in Finland.

I have looked back as I found my computer was full and I needed to make space for new photos, but instead of getting them from there I did the following.

Then I took a random photo album from the shelf and took photos with my mobile of the photos placed there. One way to scan photos and preserve those fleeting moments of the past. Here are a few memories that transport me back to a simpler time. I lived in San Diego in the early 1990s, a beautiful coastal city that captured my heart, and I have always loved the sea. We spent many days in La Jolla park by the sea, where the waves crashed gently against the shore, and the salty breeze filled the air. And I have several shots of the turquoise sea, shimmering under the bright California sun—a vivid reminder of those carefree days. The vibrant colors and lively atmosphere of the beach evoke nostalgia.

Also in this album are few shots of old Victorian houses in Memphis, their were supposed to be haunted houses, steeped in history and mystery. I visited these house with my sister, her son, and my mom, alongside a man who I have no reflection off; I think he was an associate of my sister’s husband who was there for business. He even attended our very small wedding, adding an unexpected touch to the day. My sister’s family, as she lived there, provided the venue, her backyard, while my mom came over from Finland, and—two Finnish businessmen I didn’t know, yet they seemed delighted to be part of such an intimate gathering. Out off all places, I would never have guessed that this is where we would get married, in Memphis.

And as we were there, the riverboats were indeed a must-see, providing a picturesque view that felt like stepping back in time. Memphis had so much richness to offer, and while we were there, visiting Graceland was a significant part of our journey. However, it’s strange to think back on it now because I have no photos to capture that moment. I have a vivid memory of stepping into Elvis’s home, and as I crossed the threshold, an overwhelming sense of distress washed over me—it was as though the walls whispered tales of sorrow. The atmosphere was oddly heavy, and the emotions were so strong that it affected me deeply as I explored the rooms, each filled with relics of a life that once thrived but seemed steeped in melancholy. For some inexplicable reason, I ended up not taking any photos, as if somehow the experience itself was meant to remain untouched and sacred, preserved only within my mind. But the feeling and the memory of it remains, a testament to the powerful connection we can have with places that hold a history far beyond our own experiences.

Sunglass fashion in 1980 – the one’s my husband’s had are back in fashion now, and it’s amusing to see how styles from that era are making a strong comeback.However, mine, which were a bit more trendy, are not so much in vogue these days. It’s interesting how fashion evolves and circles back, but sometimes, certain styles just don’t seem to resonate with the current crowd.

Marlon Brando on cruise with us ?? 😀

My parents both passed when I was in my twenties, so these are memories from way back, before my time. This album has memories from my parents youth.

Link your photos to Sofia’s post and tag Lens-Artists so we can find your post. Doing both is best as WP reader sometimes plays up a bit.

A big thank you to Ann-Christine for hosting with a wonderful Setting a Mood challenge. It’s incredible how we can create moods with our photos and how we all interpret them.

Next week Anne’s challenge will be on Intentional Camera Movement. You can learn all about it by checking out the various online tutorials or wait for instructions from Anne. Anne says it’s all about having fun and there’s no wrong way to do it!

27 thoughts on “Lens-Artists Challenge #320 – Looking Back”

  4. Isn’t it amazing how ‘looking back’ at our photos or even possessions can evoke such strong emotions? I remember having a similar reaction (to yours while visiting Graceland) when visiting a church in Barcelona…almost as if it was intrusive to snap a photo. Today, I cannot even tell you which church because I did not take any photographic memories home with me.

  5. You’ve done an excellent job of reproducing these old photos and bringing the memories to life not only for you but for all of us. Your recollections of your visit to Graceland are especially powerful.

  6. Loved your approach this week Ritva! It has never occurred to me to photograph the photos in our memory books – I will Definitely give that a try!! Also really loved the time-warn images from your parents’ photo album, really sweet. I had no idea you’d lived in the US! Loved learning that!

  7. What a beautiful retrospective you created, Ritva! These are great photos, and I can see why they are so special to you. The Marlon Brandon look is amazing.

  8. Lots of memories there Ritva, I get what you mean about the sunglasses. I remember wearing white framed sunglasses in the mid 80’s and there are back in now. Don’t you wish we had hung onto a lot of these things? lol

    Wonderful post.

  10. Thank you, Ritva. There’s a deep feeling coming from your post, your experience in Graceland is so powerful. Some places have that effect, who knows why… I love how you picked your photos and how you showed your family photo albums, full of nostalgia.

    The sunglasses are fun. I think they would go well with the Glaswegian crowd 🙂

      1. It’s the only place I’ve been to that people just wear what they fancy. There’s fashion followers, but there’s a bit of everything too, a lot of vintage and I love it!

  11. You were so young when your parents left you and I could still feel the pain in these photos. Thanks for sharing this very personal part of your life.

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