Historic Hood River
Ketchikan Wharf
12-4-2020
Notes
I grew up near the ocean, so images like this bring back all sorts of memories. This is from Alva Day’s 1917 visit to Alaska. The fishing fleet is at the Ketchikan wharf. I can’t make out many names, but I can read “Dixie,” “Ranier” and “Mayflower.”
L.E.
Imagine that! Overcast at Ketchikan.
This isn't really an extraordinary photo, but I can smell the smells, I can hear the water slapping against the sides of the boats. I can hear the seagulls.
ArthurB
“Evocative,” L.E.
nails
And looks like the perfect place to set up the easel and watercolors
ArthurB
I can only imagine an artist on the wharf with a palette of shades of gray to render this scene…
kmb
This photo may not be extraordinary from a historical perspective, but it certainly is evocative from an artistic perspective. To me, this scene is tranquil and peaceful. Unfortunately, the black and white photo doesn't do the scene justice, and may evoke a more gray and gloomier feeling that one would experience if there in person at dock side. Hopefully any artist that set up their easel to capture this would have some colors in their palette to bring this to life. It could make a beautiful painting in color.
L.E.
I have come back to this photo several times this weekend and stared at it, wondering what Alva Day was able to capture in a silent gray photo that brings alive senses.
I think I prefer the black and white.
L.E.
Wish I could hear comments from Buzz.
ArthurB
I agree, LE. I'm sure he would have told us all about the fisherman and their equipment.