The Kodachrome Slide that started it all…

Every good project needs a good origin story, and mine starts with a small batch of vintage Kodachrome slides. It was 2016, and I had stumbled upon a small collection of vintage slides for sale online. I was immediately drawn to one particular slide that showed Times Square in New York City at night, captured through the lens of a 1950s camera in the rain. The image was breathtakingly beautiful, with its vivid colors and sharp details. I knew I had to have it.

Little did I know that this single purchase would spark a passion that would last for years to come. I began seeking out more vintage Kodachrome slides from the same era, between 1945 and 1969, when the world was less homogenized and every location had its own unique culture and way of life. These slides captured moments in time that would otherwise be lost to history, and I felt it was my duty to save and share them with the world.

I scoured estate sales and online marketplaces, searching for slides that spoke to me. I was particularly drawn to "amateur" shots that looked like they could have been taken by professional photographers. These slides had a rawness and authenticity to them that was hard to find in more polished, commercial images.

As my collection grew, so did my desire to share these images with the world. I started an Instagram account and began posting my favorite slide images. The response was slow at first but after awhile it started to grow - people loved seeing these glimpses into the past, and I felt a sense of satisfaction knowing that I was preserving memories that might have otherwise been lost.

But as much as I loved sharing my slides on social media, I felt that there was something missing. The format was too limited, and the images didn't have the impact they deserved. That's when I decided to launch this website dedicated to my vintage slide collection.

This website allows me to showcase the slides in a way that couldn’t on social. I could organize them by location, theme, or time period, and provide more context and history for each image. And, of course, the slides themselves were displayed in all their glory, with their vivid colors and details fully preserved.

Through this project, I've learned so much about the world and its unique cultures and ways of life. I've seen how things have changed over time, and how some things have remained the same. I've also learned the power of photography to capture moments in time and preserve them for future generations.

But most of all, I've learned the importance of following your passions and pursuing the things that bring you joy. For me, that's collecting and sharing vintage Kodachrome slides. Who knows what other hidden passions lie within us, waiting to be discovered? All I know is that I'm excited to keep exploring, and I hope you'll join me on the journey.