Learn the stories behind the photos with Photographer and Photo Conservator Al Thelin. A true Renaissance man, who shows his greatness in his work from black & white to digital. Grab your favorite darkroom snack and enjoy a historical journey through photos and stories. Everything from Mountain Man Rendezvous, Civil War, Revolutionary war, cowboy life, and today.
Comencheros
November 29, 2020 • 12 MIN
This photo was taken at the Western national rendezvous in Grand Mesa, Colorado. This is the Comencheros. Who are the Comencheros? They were some of the meanest, nastiest people, men, and I don't think any of them were ever women. But in the West because what they did was they roamed through cities, towns, villages, anything. And when they did, they actually raped, pillaged, stole, burned and left nothing behind. If they came across a wagon train, they totally killed everyone, stole everything, loaded it onto their carts if they had them, or took their Wagon Train carts and used them. And they were a banned of whites, blacks, Indians, Mexicans and it was just whoever wanted to join them and be nasty mean and crazy.
Ghost Train
January 1, 2021 • 13 MIN
It is the ghost photo from the train shoot in Ely, Nevada. For the past three days you have seen photographs from the same shoot. Because there is a ghost in this photo I talked about it in my podcast. I’ve had two of these ghost incidents show up in my career, I’ll show the other one another time. Enjoy the train and the ghost.
Leipzig and Wroclaw
January 15, 2021 • 17 MIN
Today we're going to talk about Leipzig, Germany and Wroclaw, Poland and continue our student European trip. We decided to take a day trip and go to Leipzig, Germany, which was still in the eastern sector communists were still there. As we got into Leipzig, the cities on the eastern sector at this time, were very gray. They weren't lovely, beautiful, blossoming crazy cities. I mean they were very kind of drab and gray. Of course, being that it was in the spring, didn't help out any that there weren't any flowers blooming and the trees were bare. It made the city just a little bit more gloom and kind of overcast.
Mim's Place
March 5, 2021 • 15 MIN
Everyone needs a place to get away. Here is my place in Springfield, Idaho. Let me tell you the secret to getting rid of stress. #1 - Good food, #2 - a fire, #3 - good company. The memories made here will never be forgotten. Hear the stories about my special place and a little skunk who received a vikings funeral.
The Photographer and The Muse
April 2, 2021 • 15 MIN
Listen to the story behind the photograph of Tisha, the great Muse. "I am the keeper of this young woman's dreams while she was a muse".
Also find out why Al takes photos in the latest episode of the Retro Foto Film Podcast.