Historic Hood River
Portraiture
1-20-2023
Notes
W.F. Laraway was a talented portrait photographer. Many of his portraits have a somewhat “modern” feel to them compared to traditional 19th century style, but this one strikes me as 100% traditional. Will says it looks like an oil painting pose, and you cold easily imagine a painter using it as the basis for a painting. Some details which may not be instantly obvious: his hat is perched on the credenza, the painting on the wall is an elk being chased by dogs, and take a look at that chair. Could anyone actually sit in it?
The subject is Clayton Owens, a Laraway cousin. We have multiple images of him in military uniforms, as well as one in the fur coat of an arctic expedition.
L.E.
Laraway’s photography is amazing.
We are lucky the photos don’t have more damage, like this one shows.
ArthurB
I don’t show you the really badly damaged negatives, but most are in good enough shape for historic and artistic value. I’m grateful Dean Fletcher rescued them from barn storage a couple of decades ago, when there was still something to rescue. They came to the museum on his passing, and now it’s our job to see them preserved, studies and enjoyed.
Alan Winston
The chair may be specifically intended for photography, since no chair parts would be visible on either side of the subject.
I like the fringe tufted up between the two different carpets, lower right.
nels
Excellent lighting, excellent picture. If you check out the shadows of the chair, the carpet fringe, and the curtains you can see Mr. Laraway was quite accomplished in his lighting skills.
Delano V
Great photography 🙂 Before reading notes I was struck with the subjects all American handsome features. Also the neatness of the uniform. Sharp creases in trousers suggest, perhaps, military academy. Sleeve decorations suggested possible Navel Cadet Academy. I liked the looks of this young man. Then I read the notes and discovered it’s a staged setting. I was disappointed. ;-(
L.E.
I looked for a Clayton Owens related to Larraway, but didn’t come up with anything. I did however discover that W.F. Laraway’s father was in Idaho in 1870. Perhaps for the mining?
ArthurB
Dean Fletcher’s book notes for a Clayton Owens photo say, "Cousin of P. B. Laraway– James C. Owens". P. B. Laraway was W. F. Laraway’s father. I take that comment to mean his full name is James Clayton Owens.