C&T Publications Eye on Fine Art Photography - July 2014 | Page 30

Trick Photography Ideas and Special Effects
on Tall Tale Postcards From the Past
By Jim T May

Did you know that trick photography and special effects has been around way longer than us? The pioneers made a fortune from
their skills at creating trick photos for the masses. This was way back before digital photography and photo editing software, so not
everyone have the skills to do it. If you had digital camera and photo editing software back then, you'd be a very rich person!

Introducing the tall tales postcards
Among the earliest examples of trick photography ideas are the "tall tales" postcards that appeared during the American Golden Age
of photographic postcards, produced between 1905 and 1915. Photography itself had been around for a full fifty years by the time the
tall tales postcards arrived, but for many in the rural populations it was still a novelty. Picture postcards became very popular in the
United States by the beginning of the 20th century as it became a quick and convenient way to communicate with people over long
distances. In fact, for some it was the only way to communicate.

Food and agricultural abundance
Picture postcards from oversea or cross-border relatives offered a glimpse of the outside world for those unable to travel, so it was
the next best thing for actual travel. Creative photographers manipulated and modified the photo