Polaroids and Kodachromes

1990, The Big Hair Era

A few days ago, I happened upon my collection of film photographs (as opposed to digital photographs).

I noticed that the 40 or so Polaroid SX-70 photographs in the collection were starting to deteriorate, that is, the white frames surrounding the images were coming apart. So I decided to scan all the Polaroids before they deteriorated further.

Then I noticed that the color was fading in some of the Kodachromes in the collection, so I decided to scan all the Kodachromes, too.

I finished the job on Saturday scanning almost 300 photographs in all.

I have not looked at most of these photos in ages and in my opinion, they confirm the old saying “youth is wasted on the young.”

I was in my late 30s through my late 40s in those photos and "Damn!" I look good in those old photos. I can see how my femulating skills improved over the years, but even early on, I could have safely gone out as a woman amongst the civilians, but did not because I thought my height would give me away. What a waste!

I was 39-years-old in the accompanying photo taken at the first support group meeting I ever attended (Connecticut Outreach Society). It was also the first time I had ever left home as a woman that was not Halloween-related.

I recall feeling awkward and very nervous and as a result, sweated profusely at the meeting. I thought that I did not belong with these men in dresses and I swore I would never come back. But I did come back… again and again and again.

Wearing Catherine Malendrino.

Alan Cummings