Been watching the winter Olympics? I have. It's timely, because In the process of digitizing my dad's photos recently, I came across his winter Olympic albums. He was able to attend three of them, as an official photographer, starting in 1948. The Olympics has changed a lot since then, but the spirit of competition and national pride seems to remain. Dad (Bill Ransom) was hired to film the events with his 16mm Bell & Howell movie camera, and some day I hope to get the films digitized as well. Meanwhile, here's a few fun pics with Dad's captions from his album of memorabilia from...
V Winter Olympic Games 1948
St. Moritz, Italy.
This is the same Mr. Paul Helms. of Helms Bakery... remember the neighborhood trucks? (I'm showing my age...)
Skiers
Stylish! And look at the competition suit below...not too aerodynamic for downhill racing in those days.
Figure Skaters
Speed Skaters
Souvenirs
And the films...
More Opportunities to come
That's my dad, Bill Ransom on the far right ready to leave for Sun Valley Idaho to film the Harriman Cup Race.
I have such fond memories of our family ski vacations. Dad loved teaching us to ski, and we had such fun together exploring new runs, making the first tracks in fresh snow, and warming my cold hands on Dad's warm coffee mug while he put his hands around mine. Dad was known for his many stories, and we heard the "Olympic Stories" over and over but I'm so, so thankful that he was happy to share his experiences, and he left me with his albums, and notes. Going through the albums I've learned even more, and find it fascinating. His phone call to Paul Helms got him started on the road to being a professional ski movie photographer and allowed him to travel to some amazing places, on someone else's dime. In 1950 Dad married Mom. He taught her to ski, handle a camera, and they worked together filming and editing their Olympic films. But that's another story.
