Around the Hat: Ghosting Images 2

After the popularity of my original ghosting images from my Around the Hat series, it was only a matter of time before I gave it another go. Using archival images from my hometown of Medicine Hat, Alberta as inspiration, I set out to photograph these locations in 2013 from the same vantage points as their archival counterparts. 

By ghosting archival images the history is immediately made more dramatic. Specific changes become easy to recognize with a ghosted image creating a bridge between substantial periods of time. It's a really unique way of looking at a place like Medicine Hat, especially because it's a perspective that's seldom explored in this city.

Third Street Downtown - 2013 merged with 1940s

This scene shows the width of the street before the crosswalk flowerbeds had been installed - notice the car and modern truck on the left. 

Assiniboia Inn - 2013 merged with 1950

Here we have the pre-renovation hotel buildings merged with the current Assiniboia. The interesting thing is that this scene spans the time just before the hotel and with it as an abandoned location now.

BMO Bank construction - 2013 merged with 1960s

This scene shows the construction of the new bank following the demolition of the original post office. You can see the original Bank of Montreal building (now gone) on the right.

Fifth Avenue Church construction - 2013 merged with 1912

I loved creating this ghosted image. Here we see the framework of the church merged with the grown in trees and complete structure just over a century later.

Pingles Book and Drug Interior - 2013 merged with 1940s

The vacant storefront is merged with the original Pingle's interior here. A drop ceiling now covers the original tin ceiling seen here.

St. John's Church - 2013 merged with 1915

This ghosted image shows the original entrance to St. John's that was covered during a mid-century renovation and expansion. The chimney on the left is also no longer there.

Hargrave Sissons Block - 2013 merged with 1905

The contrast of the traffic light with the horse and buggy emphasizes the span of time. Also, the unpainted brick in 1905 with the modern day stripped paint shows just how many layers there have been over the decades.



City buses outside Cypress Club - 2013 merged with 1960s

The vintage buses are pretty cool, but this scene is made even more memorable by the ghosted city hall in the background which is no longer there.

Bus Depot - 2013 merged with 1940s

Today this building is the Ming Court restaurant, but this ghosted image shows that this art deco design was originally for the city's bus depot.

Train Station - 2013 merged with 1910s

It has been decades since the train station has seen a crowd like this. Here we have a vintage postcard merged with the modern station. 

Dreamland Theatre - 2013 merged with 1910s

This unassuming building next to the modern parkade used to house one of Medicine Hat's movie theatres. Here we see the original facade merged with the modern one.

Granada Building - 2013 merged with 1960s

This building once featured a beautiful art deco facade. Here we see some of the new sidings merged with this vintage street scene.



Beveridge Block - 2013 merged with 1950s

Most notable in this ghosted image is the loss of the original Bank of Montreal building after the new bank was constructed. 

Third Street Downtown - 2013 merged with 1940s

Here we have a WW2 rally merged with the modern street. 

Medalta Potteries - 2013 merged with 1910s

This scene shows the current facades of Medalta merged with the factory while it was under construction.

Gaslight Plaza - 2013 merged with 1970s

Here we have the corner of Gaslight Plaza merged with the vintage Eatons sign that no longer hangs there.



Sixth Avenue Downtown - 2013 merged with 1920s

Here's a glimpse at how vibrant the downtown once was. Notice the storefront canopies on the left and the Dreamland Theatre on the right. 

Around the Hat: Ghosting Images

Before my Around the Hat series was even an idea, I had seen a number of archival images blended together with modern shots of various locations from around the world. The technique is often referred to as ghosting, and it was this style that originally had me browsing archives of Medicine Hat, Alberta and the surrounding area. Undoubtedly, this influenced my local photo series when it eventually kicked off in 2012. 

Some of the most common compliments I receive about my series come from when I update archival images and show how a location has changed over the years from the same vantage point. One of my first posts like this was of an old postcard from the hill. It's something that not only appeals to locals, but it appeals to those interested in history in general. I figured it was about time I took some of those pictures I'd shot and blended them together with those archival ones for some of my first ever attempts at ghosting. I think they turned out rather well, but I'll let you be the judge.

Canadian Bank of Commerce -1915 merged with 2012

This shot was cool to merge as the lighting appeared to be the same in the archival image and the one I shot. I love the awnings on the windows and the man standing out front of the bank. I  also love the contrast between the classic, albeit modern gas lamp on the left, and the original lamp in the archival image. The presence of the Telus tower in the background only emphasizes the evolution.

St. Patrick's Church - 1940s merged with 2012

While the church itself hasn't changed much over the decades, this ghosted image shows the large trees that used to cover most of the entrance (they're gone now). I added a bit of opacity to show just what was being hidden, while still preserving the effect. Notice the two people standing out front that appear to be posing for the camera.

Hargrave Sisson Block - 1920s merged with 2012

The large old cars are pretty impressive to see parked along the curb at this historic location. With the years of paint now stripped off of the building, it's cool to get a glimpse of how the original facade really looked in this ghosted image. 

Cecil Hotel - 1965 merged with 2012

Not a whole lot has actually changed in this area, but the original Cecil neon sign on the side of the building is the standout. Also, a single power line now stands where a double posted power line platform used to be.

Alberta Foundry & Machine Co. - 1940s merged with 2012

This wartime image of the foundry looks especially cool because of the old car merged with my Jag. You can also notice how the windows are now covered, and the vintage signage seems especially fresh. 

North Railway Street - 1946 merged with 2013

WW2 soldiers are welcomed home, walking down a modern North Railway Street in this ghosted image. It's difficult to imagine seeing this many people lined along this street today, just out front of the train station.



Gaslight Plaza / Eaton's - 1970s merged with 2012

The vintage cars contrast with the modern street light and updated office windows of the Gaslight Plaza in this ghosted image. Once Eaton's department store, the area isn't usually surrounded with so many pedestrians these days.

Elizabeth Street School - 1912 merged with 2012

This image is cool because it represents a hundred year span. The workers and stacks of brick are seemingly dwarfed by the massive trees that now surround this old building. It's a fascinating way of demonstrating just how much time has passed.

Hutchinson Block - 1963 merged with 2013

This ghosted image is a bit of a reverse, as it shows the building today with the archival background instead of the other way around. Notice fairy lights hanging from across the street. Also, the small building on the right, the street light, and the parking meter - all of these things are gone. A tree now stands where the street light was, and the vacant lot next door is a small park space.



Canadian Bank of Commerce - 1910s merged with 2012

This image was cool to edit because of the buggies and pedestrians.  I used the bank as my anchor point and matched up my shot to where the old city hall was standing. To emphasize that it is no longer there I faded the edge of the picture to reveal the large pine tree that stands at the edge of the park. This one really has a ghost like feeling.

Monarch Theatre - 1948 merged with 2012

I love the starkness of this ghosted image. I kept the bikes, original signage, and the banner from 1948, but blended half of the entrance with the modern handicapped parking sign and a poster of the Hunger Games on the other side.

Five Roses Mill - 1920s merged with 2012

I really like the detail in blending these two shots. The archival image reveals the original height of the mill, however I left a bit of opacity to show the line of how tall the building is today. Also, the archival image of the mill is contrasted by the signage for the Silver Buckle bar on each side, the overpass in the background, and the min-van in the parking lot.

North Railway Street: Part 1

One of my favorite streets in all of Medicine Hat has to be North Railway. It's probably also one of the most intact historic areas in the city. Tons of original brick buildings are still in use here, and they're complimented by their proximity to the train station and rail yard. It's an incredibly visual neighbourhood with a look that spans a century.

North Railway Street ca. 1946

This car was early inspiration for this photo set.

Ghosting image of my 2013 shot merged with an archival one from 1946.