My mother presented me with a mixed collection of my late father’s transparencies on one of my visits. Mostly good family photos as expected, but also photographs of a few places he had visited on his frequent international business trips away from England. Dad would often set up the projector on his return and give us children a slide show of his latest trip which were fun and educational, but I don’t remember seeing these photos from New York. Not surprising really, because as far as I can tell these images were shot in either 1962 or 1963 when I was only about four or five years old.
Joseph Higham was a keen amateur photographer and he became a knowledgeable collector of Nikon cameras. He was a contributor of articles to the journal of the Nikon Historical Society, within which his meticulously hand-drawn diagrams of camera mechanisms showed his flair for engineering. In the 1960s I think he was using a Nikon F, and it’s very likely these photos were taken with that model. Fascinated and entertained by new people and places, he had an enthusiasm for street photography and his sense of composition was enhanced by his graphic design abilities as he had been an art school student, but later his career developed into manufacturing and engineering.
I’ve never been to New York, but no doubt these scenes will be recognised by natives and those who love the city. A few things that struck me looking at these images: the streets are clean and tidy, the dress of many of the citizens is stylish, and the photos reveal a transitional period with architectural styles morphing into late 20th Century. And the cars are great.
I scanned the slides with an Espon V370 and there’s been only a limited attempt to remove dust, marks and scratches. So presentation is on the whole unpolished but I hope authentically captures New York at that time.
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timdobbsphoto on 1960s New York. Dad’s slides scanned – by Charles Higham
Comment posted: 17/02/2019
Comment posted: 17/02/2019
Harvey on 1960s New York. Dad’s slides scanned – by Charles Higham
Comment posted: 17/02/2019
Comment posted: 17/02/2019
julianhiggs on 1960s New York. Dad’s slides scanned – by Charles Higham
Comment posted: 17/02/2019
Comment posted: 17/02/2019
jeremy north on 1960s New York. Dad’s slides scanned – by Charles Higham
Comment posted: 17/02/2019
Comment posted: 17/02/2019
Ken Bunting on 1960s New York. Dad’s slides scanned – by Charles Higham
Comment posted: 17/02/2019
Comment posted: 17/02/2019
Stephen Brett on 1960s New York. Dad’s slides scanned – by Charles Higham
Comment posted: 17/02/2019
Comment posted: 17/02/2019
Yair Sachs on 1960s New York. Dad’s slides scanned – by Charles Higham
Comment posted: 17/02/2019
AND the cars, of course. Including some foreign "invaders", before the onslaught of imported cars on the American manufacturers...
Please send some more, if available.
Comment posted: 17/02/2019
DaCosta on 1960s New York. Dad’s slides scanned – by Charles Higham
Comment posted: 17/02/2019
By the way, I was probably a tot at the time your Dad photographed those scenes!
Comment posted: 17/02/2019
John Lockwood on 1960s New York. Dad’s slides scanned – by Charles Higham
Comment posted: 17/02/2019
I do believe the easiest way to digitize old slides is with a Nikon ES-1 or ES-2 and Nikon Micro lens. The 40mm is perfect for APS-C format and the 60mm for FX format. This setup allows quick, NEF capture and easy post-processing. Have we done an article on this "scanning" method Hamish?
Comment posted: 17/02/2019
Damien DEROUENE on 1960s New York. Dad’s slides scanned – by Charles Higham
Comment posted: 17/02/2019
If you like vintage slides, here is "An American Story", a project about scanning old slides:
http://www.gostreetphoto.com/introducing-an-american-story/
Comment posted: 17/02/2019
JR Smith on 1960s New York. Dad’s slides scanned – by Charles Higham
Comment posted: 17/02/2019
Comment posted: 17/02/2019
Bernhard on 1960s New York. Dad’s slides scanned – by Charles Higham
Comment posted: 17/02/2019
Comment posted: 17/02/2019
Daniel Castelli on 1960s New York. Dad’s slides scanned – by Charles Higham
Comment posted: 17/02/2019
In 1965 I was in 8th grade, getting ready to move onto high school. The good Sister's of Mercy that taught @ our Catholic Junior High warned us about NYC in general and McDougall Street in particular. Sister Irma Jo told us that the city would lure us into sin and destruction. It was full of: "Bohemians, drug addicts, whores and jazz." This story is true - confirmed by some classmates I'm still in touch with. It sounded exciting!
Comment posted: 17/02/2019
SteveEmber on 1960s New York. Dad’s slides scanned – by Charles Higham
Comment posted: 17/02/2019
Another strong resonance was in seeing the distinctive exhaust ports and wing flaps of the unmistakable Lockheed Electra four-engine turboprop airliner, which I first experienced and fell in love with on a trip to NYC in 1963.
It is fun every now and again to bring forth an Ektachrome or Kodachrome of the era and compare the skylines of "then" and "now." Of course, these days, it's a real challenge to keep up with changes in the NYC skyline, from visit to visit, as they are so frequent and widespread.
Comment posted: 17/02/2019
D Evan Bedford on 1960s New York. Dad’s slides scanned – by Charles Higham
Comment posted: 17/02/2019
Comment posted: 17/02/2019
Luís Barros on 1960s New York. Dad’s slides scanned – by Charles Higham
Comment posted: 18/02/2019
Comment posted: 18/02/2019
Harry T on 1960s New York. Dad’s slides scanned – by Charles Higham
Comment posted: 18/02/2019
Comment posted: 18/02/2019
Martin south of France on 1960s New York. Dad’s slides scanned – by Charles Higham
Comment posted: 18/02/2019
Comment posted: 18/02/2019
Scott Edwards on 1960s New York. Dad’s slides scanned – by Charles Higham
Comment posted: 18/02/2019
Comment posted: 18/02/2019
Richard Angeloni on 1960s New York. Dad’s slides scanned – by Charles Higham
Comment posted: 01/06/2025
Comment posted: 01/06/2025
Ibraar Hussain on 1960s New York. Dad’s slides scanned – by Charles Higham
Comment posted: 01/06/2025
Simply fantastic
Words fail
Me
Comment posted: 01/06/2025
Comment posted: 01/06/2025