Preface
I saw this roll of developed Kodak Super XX sitting at an antique store for three dollars. As I said on my philosophy page, “A photograph is one of the few pieces of evidence for anything or any moment that ever existed, the way it did visually.” Instead of letting it sit in the store not knowing what’s going to happen with it, I decided to rescue it myself. I simply could not think of a better solution. Now I can show the world those moments in history, the whole roll without any omission, while most of us never knew those moments even existed.
Since a photograph does not have any narrative ability, and it only describes light on a surface, I am going to use my imagination to narrate this roll of film, or you can jump right into the photographs and use your own.
– Kodak Super XX was discontinued in 1958, and that should indicate that this roll of film should have been taken before 1958, but after WWII.
– On the side, it said Kodak Velox Paper, that would make it circa 1950s-60s.
– The film is fogged, so it was either stored in a hot location when he was using the film, or he used expired film, or he didn’t develop this roll for a long time after he shot it.
– I believe the photos were photographed by a U.S. serviceman that served in Japan, and he finished the roll after he went home to America, somewhere that is cold and snows in the winter. (I am leaning towards Michigan, where I purchased this roll of film, but that really doesn’t mean anything).
– One of my Readers, Dave, pointed out that this is Yokohama Japan, You can see Jack and Queen towers, and Isezakicho shopping street.
The Photos

Since this roll is uncut, and I do not want to cut it, I had to ditch my Epson for the first time and scan it creatively.
Beautiful stunning images!
What a nice surprised! When I was in the store I only unrolled it a little bit to make sure there are images on the film, I didn’t look that close to see what’s on it.
Kudos for saving this roll of film, otherwise these moments in time would’ve been lost forever!
I am glad you enjoyed the photos!
Outstanding. You’re inspiring me to look for film to save.
I never fully understand why negatives/photos, especially family photos ended up in thrift stores or antique stores. I feel very bad when that happened and I try my best saving those images from potentially going to the landfill.
I will be rolling over in my grave if I find my family photos in stores years after I am gone.
That’s admirable. Whoever took those would feel relieved, I’m sure. Shot 1 and 6 are really neat.
I was very surprised by the 1st shot too.
Hey, man. I write for DIYPhotography.net. Would you mind if I reposted a few of these pictures with links and credit to you? These pictures are incredible.
Thanks for sharing them!
You are welcome, and i sent you an email.
You were correct to bring me back for a while! Splendid! And as always, it is not what you say it, but how you you say it. An experience enhanced. Thank you !
😉 Pleasure
Amazing !!
I think so too!
Wow.
Thats what I said when I looked at the neg a little closer. “why do I see signs in Japanese, what is going on?”
I just love it. What a neat score!
Time engraved in silver. The deeper I go through the invention of photography,the more I get convinced that after discovery of Fire, Photography is the greatest invention..
I agree.
people of the future will know about our reality also by our photos !
We need to stop altering our photos through editing then or they will think we used to be able to levitate in the air :).
This is pretty cool!
Glad you find it interesting
very interesting 🙂
There you are. Where you been?
no where
just busy at work and being lazy…
😛
btw rocky cameras have a petriflex for sell… apparently they’re on easter 50% discount so you might wanna go take a look!
How much??
Wait. I have one lol. Slr right? I do
wutda…??
the petriflex V / petri penta V??
the one with pointed prism??
damn…. haha
Nai I think i got a Petri FT or something but the lens need work.
Few years ago, I got a very nice old open reel tape recorder, a Uher Reporter. So I started tu buy old used magnetic tapes reels at thrift stores. You can’t imagin what you can find on them ! People singing, kids reciting rigmaroles, music, noises…. the acoustic version of photography.
That’s very nice. I only collect vinyls I do not do reel to reels yet, but I don’t see the reels here for sale often. However I do find a machine the other day, but I didn’t have room for it. One of these days you should digitize your recordings and share with us!
On that note, I once picked up an old handheld recorder that, apparently , was used by a doctor, the content was rather confusing and a bit scary.
Nice find. Yokohama, Jack and Queen towers, Isezakicho shopping street (the sign over the street with the silk goods store); you can Google these for modern images of these locations (from the same vantage point)
Thank you, I will include the info in the post.
I’ve lost a lot of film in Gallup, NM, South Bend, IN, and Largo, FL. My heart is broken, cause the film was in boxes of pictures of family and friends I treasured. Lost everything in storage. Wish I hadn’t been so poor most of my life. That film had pictures I would’ve cherished, but I guess you can’t cry over spilt milk. God bless everyone.
I am so sorry that happens to you, truly.
However it’s not too late to start photographic those memories TO COME once again, except this time vow to do your best to keep it!
Whatever lost is lost however we can still capture and preserve tomorrow.
This is a wonderful find. Despite the fogging, some of the photos are very moving. I’m especially fond of 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, 13, and 18 (using the numbers that you assigned them). For some reason, I’m very taken with number 18 (the old man sitting and smoking). That is very touching.
If the photographer had kept it up, he might be haled as another Vivian Maier.
He probably did kept up, I just have to find it!
Wow, these are amazing.
Glad you enjoyed it.
#11 with the overhead street sign is in Yokosuka, Japan on Blue Street. This is one block from the US Naval Base, Yokosuka. The building featured middle right still stands with an antique “watches” sign fixed on it along with the Kanji characters as shown in your photo. It’s amazing the building was spared since some new modern apartments/combined storefronts were just thrown up next to it and the regional trend is to tear down every building older than 25 years and start over (unless it’s an important cultural monument, like a Shinto shrine). This building also is at the entrance of Honcho-Chome or “The Honch”, a street filled with American bars known to be a bit seedy today. — American living in Yokosuka, Kanagawa, JP
Thank you, I will add that to the caption.
Great Work!!!
Thank You.