May 26, 2011

The Kodak Colorama Babies

kodak_colorama_babies.jpg

For forty years, the Kodak Colorama hung on the east end of the Great Hall at Grand Central Station. The 18x60-foot backlit transparency was called the biggest photograph in the world, and Kodak photographers changed it about once a month.

Usually, there were idyllic scenes of happy, shiny white people taking photographs in gorgeous American landscapes, all the better to encourage you to take more pictures yourself.

Which makes it hard for me to believe that in 1984, Sam Campanaro and Marty Czamanske had a hard time convincing Kodak management that a picture with 15 babies would be perfect for the Colorama. Campanaro was inspired by his daughter's birthing class reunion photo, and Czamanske was a new dad himself. Anyway, long story short, it was the most popular Colorama image ever, duh, so popular they brought all the kids back twice more at 2.5 and 5 years old.

Grand Central then underwent a huge restoration, and all that billboard clutter was swept away, just ahead of Kodak itself, it seems. Live long and prosper and all that, but you know what I mean.

The Kodak Colorama [kodak.com]

6 Comments

I have framed photo of babies photographed in 1983 by Sam Campanaro and Marty Czamanske. Is there any value to this photo?

I AM LOOKING FOR THIS POSTER AS WELL AS THE ONES WHEN THE BABIES ARE OLDER DO Y KNOW WHERE TO GET THEM I NEED THEM DESPERATELY

I do have the print of this, however it only has the 8 babies in the middle.

Let me know if you are interested

Just saw it at Value Village in Whitby Ontario for $12.99

i LOVED YOUR KODAK COLORAMA BABIES, THEY ARE CUTE. ACTUALLY I HAD IT ALREADY BUT I LOST IT, CAN I HAVE ONE AGAIN? HOW CAN I MAKE ORDER? PLEASE?

Yes I have this print of all 15 babies presented in a beautiful wood frame with glass. I'm asking $15.00 for it plus what ever S&H might be. I live in Bloomington, Indiana. Please contact me at email: marvingibsonarmyret@yahoo.com

Thank you.

Google DT


Contact DT

Daddy Types is published by Greg Allen with the help of readers like you.
Got tips, advice, questions, and suggestions? Send them to:
greg [at] daddytypes [dot] com

Join the [eventual] Daddy Types mailing list!


Archives

copyright

copyright 2024 daddy types, llc.
no unauthorized commercial reuse.
privacy and terms of use
published using movable type