52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks – Week 3: Favorite Photo
PROMPT: The theme for Week 3 is “Favorite Photo.” Tell the story of a favorite photo: Who is in it, when and where it was taken, and why it was taken.
This has always been a favorite photo of mine. I previously wrote a blog post about my great-grandfather–pictured on the front row in a fedora–and his work as a miner as well as his leadership in organized labor on behalf of his co-workers. This photo was certainly the perfect photo to include in that piece.
Although my great-grandfather worked at several different mining companies in his life, I am assuming that this photo was taken onsite at the Eagle-Picher mine near Picher, Oklahoma.
Because my great-grandfather is not dressed in miner’s attire as his colleagues are, it is possible that he was onsite to conduct union business. So, perhaps it was a photoshoot to accompany an upcoming news story about the present state of collective bargaining negotiations with their employer.
Regardless of the reason the photo was taken, I love the variety of expressions in the photo. Some of the gentlemen pictured on the left are smiling. One is practically smirking. However, on the right side of the photo, it appears that those miners are assuming a more serious, professional pose. The whole tone is collegial and relaxed and, based upon how clean their work clothes are, it was probably taken prior to the work day.
And now, thanks to the digital age, I can experience this favorite photo in a “colorized” version:
Talking Leaves 
Great job on colorizing the photo! I like the “unimproved” version as well. The variety of expressions is interesting. At the end of the work day, they probably would have all looked exhausted & dirty!
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