58 Comments
User's avatar
Susanne Helmert's avatar

Wow, 1200 negatives scanned in one week! It would take me years because I hate scanning. But I am so glad you do it, because it means we get to see some of the photographs! The one from Morocco is my favorite! Thank you for sharing! I wouldn't mind seeing more... One question, though - do you know the years the images were taken? I always find that interesting.

Expand full comment
søren k. harbel's avatar

It is a pain to scan, but it is the only way I know what I have. I am glad you like the Morocco shot, it is my favourite. I will remember to add the year. I will try to do an edit and put the year of each one in. I appreciate the kind words... I will keep posting, don't worry!

Expand full comment
Martin Hughes's avatar

There's a lot of life in these—even in the calmer shots. 💚

Expand full comment
søren k. harbel's avatar

Thank you very much! I appreciate it!

Expand full comment
Rachel Vogeleisen's avatar

I can't imagine scanning 1200 negs that is very brave! You found some pure gold in these 👏👏👏

Expand full comment
søren k. harbel's avatar

I am not a fan of scanning, but I have no option. I no longer do contact sheets, and I often have several locations on the same roll, so scanning is the only way to know what's where..... And thank you for the complement!

Expand full comment
Designing With Code's avatar

Beautiful selection! Thanks for sharing! I especially loved the high-angle shots from Paris and Nice, and the last one from Milano. What a lovely couple! 😍

Expand full comment
søren k. harbel's avatar

Thank you. I know right, the couple in Milano were so deep in their guidebook that I could probably have fired a cannon. I was inside six feet and they never even noticed I was there....

Expand full comment
Designing With Code's avatar

😂

Expand full comment
Francesco Latino's avatar

Love to see your eye at work. Some of these are really fantastic, also it is very interesting how people on all sides of the world, do the same thing. In this case reading. So good

Expand full comment
søren k. harbel's avatar

Glad you like them! What is more interesting, I never really set out to photograph readers, I just started looking at my negatives and realized I have a lot of them.... So, you never know!

Expand full comment
Ari Magnusson's avatar

Fantastic photos Søren! I love how well travelled this selection is.

Expand full comment
søren k. harbel's avatar

Thank you, Ari. I have been fortunate in my life to get around a bit....

Expand full comment
Catherine Hyland's avatar

Incredible collection! Thank you for sharing these readers with us

Expand full comment
søren k. harbel's avatar

Most welcome... you know they are all for you.

Expand full comment
Catherine Hyland's avatar

🥰

Expand full comment
Alicia Paley's avatar

I love these photos! I’m always drawn to people reading actual books, newspapers, magazines, instead of looking at screens. It’s like a blast from the past.

Expand full comment
søren k. harbel's avatar

Yes, it is a bit of a time-warp. I make it a rule to avoid cellphones in photographs, if at all possible.... and do pick up the odd reader, when I see them! Thank you for loving my photographs, that is so nice of you!!

Expand full comment
Juliette's avatar

Søren, the street photographer in me loves all of these images! There are stories all through them. The man in Paris intrigues me... 1200 negatives is an enormous effort! I can barely get through a roll of 36! You are very patient.

Expand full comment
søren k. harbel's avatar

Thank you, Juliette! It is either scan, or get completely lost.... no choice. It had to be done, but I appreciate your sentiment. I think once I am set up and get into a rhythm it isn't that bad. I usually do about 12-15 rolls a day, until it is done. Every so many rolls, I take breaks and take the dog for a walk.... that helps!

Expand full comment
Ralph Turner's avatar

Some wonderfully observed moments, here. Excellent stuff. 1200 negs in a week? I take my hat off to you, Sir.. !

Expand full comment
søren k. harbel's avatar

thank you! Painful, but necessary. No other way to keep track.

Expand full comment
Lin Gregory's avatar

What a wonderful set of photos Soren! My favourites are Morocco and Athens - I think it's the shadows that swing it for me :) Re your scanning marathon - goodness how do you do it? I've just scanned 100 individual 9x6 negs (ranging from 70 to 100 years old) that were my fathers and that small number definitely tested my patience!

Expand full comment
søren k. harbel's avatar

Well, you loaded the equivalent of 600 for me - I do six up. So you are pretty close. It is a challenge, but it is the only way I can search and find stuff. I appreciate the kind words. Morocco is also my favourite. I printed that one. One of the few of my own that I have hanging. The one in Athens was different. Everyone had to walk around the guy to cross the street, and he was completely oblivious. But that also meant he didn't care what I was doing....

Expand full comment
Liza's avatar

Love this theme! Fantastic shots. Nuremburg captures the “look hard but don’t touch” stance perfectly.

Expand full comment
søren k. harbel's avatar

Thanks! Like in a museum. I was taught that pose when I was about 3 years old.... Clearly, this guy still remembers.

Expand full comment
Youssef Youssef's avatar

Nice shots! My favourites are Essaouira and Copenhagen

Expand full comment
søren k. harbel's avatar

LoL. My favourite is definitely Essaouira, I blew it up to 16x20 and have it on my wall. One of only three of my own that are mixed in with other photographer's work. Thank you!

Expand full comment
Youssef Youssef's avatar

The palm tree shadows are great :)

Expand full comment
perfectlight's avatar

awesome photos!

Expand full comment
søren k. harbel's avatar

Thank you! Fun to go back and look at old work with a new lens, so to speak.

Expand full comment
perfectlight's avatar

oh, no doubt about that!

Expand full comment
Just Suzy's avatar

Wonderful selection, Søren! Really enjoyed the whole set, especially the reading machine prototype haha!

Expand full comment
søren k. harbel's avatar

Yeah, I saw that and stood there for a while. It is not a great photograph, but I was trying to balance the outside with the inside....

Expand full comment
Just Suzy's avatar

It's the idea that counts for me. Thanks for sharing so many great memories!

Expand full comment
George Appletree's avatar

Financial Times please 👍

Expand full comment
søren k. harbel's avatar

Hah! Glad you like it.

Expand full comment