When you think of old photography, you're likely imagining something in black-and-white or sepia tones, devoid of color.
Looking at them, it's hard to imagine the subjects as being living, breathing humans. We live our lives in color, so when it's removed, it's hard to imagine what things really looked like.
But of course, people in the past did live in color — and so did their photographs! Believe it or not, color photography did exist in the 1910s.
The process was known as Autochrome Lumière, and it was a pioneering step in photographic technology. It used dyed potato starch as a filter that produced vibrant, full-color photographs.
Today, artists are doing can do more and more with photography thanks to digital technology and an endless variety of software and apps, like these beautifully surreal images that take us inside the human mind.
The photos you'll see below were commissioned by banker Albert Kahn, who hired a group of photographers to capture cities around the world in color — including Paris, photographed below in 1914.
The results are stunning, even today, and show us what life really looked like 100 years ago.
(H/T: BoredPanda, PetaPixel)
In 1914, there was a lot more greenery around Paris, but the Eiffel Tower was already a famous landmark and tourist attraction.
The city is markedly different, of course, but also hauntingly similar.
This photo shows the famed Moulin Rouge cabaret, known for its wild parties and cancan dancing.
The original building, seen here, would burn down about a year after this photo was taken.
The photos didn't just capture landmarks, but everyday people, too.
They also captured everyday scenes on the city's streets, full of storefronts, posters, and advertisements.
These vivid photos make it easy to imagine strolling down these streets.
Just like today, the city was full of restaurants, cafés, nightlife, and more.
And, just like today, you could find bright, colorful posters advertising products and shows.
A black-and-white photo of this flower vendor and her cart just wouldn't be the same.
And anything but color certainly wouldn't do this open-air market justice.
The photos also capture the historical side of things.
1914 was the beginning of World War I, and so soldiers and patriotic displays were common in Paris.
These soldiers may have been on leave, or may have been in transit.
The photo also captures an image of the Metro, or subway, which had opened in 1900.
This photo, showing people doing their laundry outside, is also interesting because you can see where perhaps something went awry with the color emulsion.
In the background, you can see the landscape in sepia tones, but the foreground is in color.
The photos also show us how different life was in 1914, mainly in terms of technology.
Horse-drawn carriages were still common in the city, and boats like this could be seen on the Seine.
And hot-air balloons were much more popular! Aviation was still a new technology, and the balloons of the 19th century hadn't been fully replaced by planes yet.
Airships like this bright blimp were also more common.
This Christmas display looks modern. It's hard to believe it's 100 years old!
You can see more of Kahn's photo collection on the website for the museum dedicated to his patronage of the arts.
SHARE the timeless beauty of Paris, and the wonder of photography, with your friends!
