PHOTO MANIPULATION OF 2 POST CARDS: A COMMON PRACTICE IN THE 1920s

 

This is not the first time I have written an article about the purposeful retouching or intentional altering of post cards related to Stone Harbor. We all know that post cards were created to be a cheap and quick way for people to communicate in the late 19th century and throughout the 20th century. Picture post cards would become immensely popular and over time we might even say that post cards seem to speak to us!
That being said, there were even times when post card publishers would employ photo modification techniques and this was not an uncommon practice in the early days of post card usage. Today’s post features 2 such post cards printed in the 1920s and bearing postal markings dated 1930 and 1931. Given today’s technology, these next 2 retouched examples of the 1920s are not very convincing or for that matter very sophisticated. In fact, these very alterations seem to us today to be considered rather crude efforts and even a bit quaint.
We’ll start with this first post card image which depicts a pavilion and beach scene taken at 96th Street at Stone Harbor, N. J. This photo was apparently taken from the Stone Harbor boardwalk as we can see the boardwalk railing and wooden planks evident on the far left-hand margin of this post card view. Aside from the expansive beach and ocean-front shown here, the focal point of this image seems to be what is featured in the center and lower part of this picture. When one looks at this overall scene however, one might think there is something peculiar about the placement, arrangement and/or size of the people in relation to one another.

Take a close look. Something just does not seem quite right about the placement and somewhat larger size of the 3 young girls seen seated on the sand and the young man whose body appears to have been almost completely covered with sand! In fact, it seems the 4 individuals have been dropped into place and we can see an outline that encircles the subjects. The line is faint but nevertheless noticeable. Are you able to distinguish that subtle line especially near the white border at the bottom of the card?

As you can gather, this second image was taken from the foreground of the previous post card image. Perhaps you might conclude as I do that there is somewhat of a distorted perspective as the 4 persons in the very center of this card have been purposely placed as a focal point for this very scene. The point being was perhaps the publisher wanted to draw attention and create a scene where unmistakably some people can be seen enjoying a summer day on the beach at Stone Harbor.
The caption associated with the second post card image shown here indicates another beach scene, but this time the image was snapped at 32nd Street and the ocean front at Peermont, N. J. which was located at the north end of Seven Mile Island by Avalon. Notice the prominent fishing pier jutting out into the ocean surf.
As you examine this image more closely, do you happen to notice anything that looks familiar? Perhaps you said to yourself something like, “Ah, there they are again.” Those same 3 girls and one young man once more arranged in the precisely same configuration as we saw earlier on the Stone Harbor beach scene. A coincidence, or not?

Once more we have here an example of the publisher apparently cropping an image showing 4 persons and inserting them into a photo taken on a beach somewhere else, supposedly Peermont. While these attempts and efforts directed at altering the image seem rather unnatural and seemingly out of place, we are reminded that even in the year 2025 people are doing some of the very same things that post card publishers in the 1920s were doing in order to create a more likable, suitable or pleasing image to promote and tell a story about a special place.

Today, we might refer to this procedure as photoshopping, simply using software that provides a range of tools particularly to create, modify, refine or remix images. It is safe to say that there are people who actually and deliberately distort reality by deceiving and being misleading. In all likelihood we have all unknowingly been swayed or influenced by such deceptive advertising methods at some point in time while on our computers or other electronic devices.

Think for example how the range of unlimited possibilities would enable vendors or websites to profit and benefit by altering scenes and images to make something more aesthetically pleasing than it actually is?
This fourth and final image was cropped and is presented for your benefit. Hopefully now you can readily see the purpose of this particular article and just how post cards of yesteryear could be and were easily modified for some particular purpose.
So there you have it: “SOMETIMES, THINGS ARE JUST NOT AS THEY APPEAR”!

AN AFTERTHOUGHT

Sometimes after crafting an article, I find that my new understanding and observations lead to some unanticipated or unplanned revelations. Such a realization occurred to me upon the completion of this short article. Perhaps you the viewer/reader will join me in considering my new insight.
Generally speaking, I have found that many post cards have offered or provided us insight into beach etiquette and beach behavior at various periods of time. For instance, I have noted that beach scenes taken in the 1910s and 20s distinctly show a lack of beach chairs and umbrellas that we have become so accustomed to seeing and using.
Re-examine some of those very early post cards depicting beach scenes and you will basically see people/bathers doing any one of 4 things on the beach: standing around, conversing or gathered in small groups, walking or strolling, and of course, swimming in the water.

The era of sun-bathing and getting a tan had not really occurred or become generally accepted behavior until around the middle and latter 20th Century. And also remember that since there was no Stone Harbor boardwalk after the Summer of 1944, beachgoers could no longer derive the benefit of shade and relief and escape the often hot and sometimes blistering summer days.

As time advanced we see many post cards now showing even crowds of people and their multitude of umbrellas and folding chairs literally taking over the sandy beaches especially on weekends and holidays. And that is how many now generally enjoy their time on the beach in the summertime: sitting, reading, conversing, relaxing, listening to music and even snoozing or napping.

Sometimes playing competitive games on the beach offers us another fun pastime. Just think of the multitude of things you and your families enjoy as favorite pastimes when having a good time on the beach?