While a variety of props – fake airplanes, hot air balloons, automobiles, trains — had been used in studio photography since the late 19th century, their popularity gained traction at the outbreak of World War I in Europe.
Photographs were taken as “official” souvenirs for servicemen at military training camps to send home to friends and families, while more informal photo opportunities were available at arcades and amusement parks for soldiers on leave.
These military portraits collected capture moments of both folly and formality. The juxtaposition of faux props and real people is often curious and visually confounding. Some images appear to be staged to accentuate silliness; while others are posed with almost comical self-seriousness.
(These photos collected by Christopher B. Steiner, a professor of art history and anthropology at Connecticut College, via Mashable)
Photographs were taken as “official” souvenirs for servicemen at military training camps to send home to friends and families, while more informal photo opportunities were available at arcades and amusement parks for soldiers on leave.
These military portraits collected capture moments of both folly and formality. The juxtaposition of faux props and real people is often curious and visually confounding. Some images appear to be staged to accentuate silliness; while others are posed with almost comical self-seriousness.
(These photos collected by Christopher B. Steiner, a professor of art history and anthropology at Connecticut College, via Mashable)
