Photographer Visits Native American Tribe In Early 1900s, Captures Breathtaking Photos

Paul Ratner is a filmmaker that came across a collection of both color and colorized photographs depicting Native American people all across North America in the late 1800s and the early 1900s. Although the photographs were originally black and white, some of the photographs were painted on or adjusted with Kodachrome, a color processing technique, in order to bring the photographs to life.

Although these photographs bring to light the stunning Native American people back in the day, it’s important to know that during this time Native Americans were losing their way of life. Thankfully, we have these photographs to celebrate their rich history.

Paul Ratner was conducting research for his film Moses on the Mesa when he came across these old color photographs of Native Americans.

The photographs, like this one from 1908 of a man named Ringing Bell, were originally black and white photographs that had color added to them by hand.

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Although some may say that hand-coloring ruins the integrity of the photograph, I think it brings the photograph to life and helps create an even more accurate portrayal.

Although a significant portion of the photographs are portraits, some of the photographs were quick snapshots that depicted the everyday life of Native Americans.

The reason why so many photographs depicting Native Americans exist? Colonists living in the East were fascinated by the culture of Native Americans, which they considered exotic. Because of this, photographs eagerly traveled west in order to capture stunning scenes of Native Americans and their way of life.

Unfortunately, there’s a deeper, more nefarious meanings to these photographs. During the time these photographs were taken, the Native American people were facing severe discrimination and oppression. It made the lives of Native American leaders, such as Chief Hollow Horn Bear of the Sicangu Lakota, a whole lot more difficult.

What made the Native American people so special was that each tribe had their own unique clothing, customs, and way of life.

Paul Ratner’s film Moses on the Mesa depicts the oftentimes contentious relationship between Native Americans and white settlers. To Paul, these photographs were a stark reminder of that.

Paul was enamored by the beauty of Native American culture, but he was sad knowing that their way of life has been wiped out.

Paul says, “It felt inconceivable that anyone would want to exterminate them from this continent as a conscious policy stretching over hundreds of years. It just seemed so barbaric and inhumane.”

To the world, these photographs portray a way of life that sadly doesn’t exist anymore. That doesn’t mean, however, that these photographs can’t be used to celebrate their history.

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Each of these photographs represents a story that will remain engraved in history forever.

Paul says, “Many of the colorized photos exhibit true talent, which preserved for us the truer likeness of the people many a hundred years ago thought were vanishing.”

Although these photographs were taken over a hundred years ago, color helps us relate to these people and their stories. And there’s nothing more beautiful than that.

If you want to see more photographs, check out the Moses on the Mesa Facebook page here. As always, we’re curious what you thought of these photographs. What did you think? We want to hear your thoughts. Let us know in the comments below!

Please SHARE these stunning photographs of Native Americans with your friends and family.

Originally published on Shareably

Original source: Bored Panda