What is the difference between handheld umbrellas and parasols?
Broadly speaking an umbrella usually has a curved handle to allow for easy grip and most commonly associated with rain. A parasol is typically constructed from more delicate fabrics such as lace, cotton, silk, linen, and often used to give shade from the sun.
Parasols also are often are used as photo props, below are two such examples: -
A touch of the exotic
A
p
Photographer
unknown, Group photo, circa 1920, Margate, Kent, England. [walk003]
The other people in the photograph have not yet been identified, although there are enough similarities in facial features to suggest that they all related, particularly when comparing the eyes, suggesting that it may well be a generational photo.
The photograph appears to be taken inside a studio with a painted background that includes a depiction of the Margate lighthouse. Why would you go to the beach in Margate and have a simulated photo of the beach taken? Perhaps they were attending the seaside funfair located at Margate, Dreamland, and this was one of the theme parks attractions.
Dress-Ups
Thelma was the
youngest of seven children and the granddaughter of Emma Amelia Lovell nee
James.
Photographer
unknown, Thelma Walker holding an umbrella, aged 3, circa 1930, 15 Albion St, Essendon,
Victoria, Australia. [walk010]
Thelma never met her grandmother as they lived oceans apart, so the exchange of photographs would have been very precious – something worth getting dressed up for.
Sepia Saturday: Using Old Images As Prompt for New Reflections – prompt 553- Authors personal collection
Sources for Text:
- Personal conversation and interview(s) by Sandra Williamson with Thelma Ward circa 2010.
- Wikipedia contributors, "Dreamland Margate," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, (accessed January 16, 2021).
- Website, The South East Archive of Seaside Photography (SEAS) (accessed January 16, 2021)
- Facebook Group Genealogy- Dating old photographs initiated on 14 January 2021
Sharing photos has always been a treat...every time my parents ran a roll of film, they would then get copies to send to our grandparents (St. Louis to Houston TX). On the backs would be the name of the recipient (rather than when, where and who was in the photo!) My other grandmother was in San Antonio, and there were Aunts who had sent their beautiful hand embroidered or smocked blouses for us to wear...all of whom would get a copy of the two sisters posing for the camera.
ReplyDeleteIt looks as though they are posed with sand at their feet. Perhaps the setup allowed for more consistent lighting at the beach? In any case, it is a lovely photo to have passed down. Good luck identifying others in the photo. Always a good puzzle to solve.
ReplyDeleteOne thing holding an umbrella does on a sunny day is shade the object of the photograph so the face is in shade without sun blotches which is proved in the second photograph with young Thelma.
ReplyDeleteI started using parasols when I lived in China. They're quite nice. The one's now have special protection for UV rays.
ReplyDeleteHad to laugh - you and I both included a little lesson comparing umbrellas and parasols. As for the beach photo - I wonder if the photographer brought sand into the studio or took a backdrop outside onto the beach.
ReplyDeleteImpressed that you have a group family photo with an umbrella in it! And such a precious photo of dressed-up Thelma with her parasol.
ReplyDeleteAn umbrella by any other name
ReplyDeleteDoesn't necessarily keep of the rain.
;)
Love this! Especially that you have family photos to illustrate the lesson. Just perfect.