Waterskiers, Cypress Gardens, Florida, displayed August 5-26, 1968. Photo by Hank Mayer © Eastman Kodak Co. Courtesy George Eastman House.

From 1950 until 1990, Kodak’s gigantic Colorama photographs dominated the east wall of Grand Central’s Main Concourse. Using what was then innovative technology to print oversize photos that measured 60 feet in length and nearly 20 feet high, these images portrayed an idealized view of American life. They promoted photography as essential for documenting leisure activities as well as capturing special family moments with beautiful, richly-colored photos. The prints will be on display at the New York Transit Museum Gallery Annex at Grand Central Terminal until November 1st. They are part of the international traveling exhibition created by George Eastman House International Museum of Photography and Film, which holds the entire Colorama archive. On October 10, following a screening of Debergerac Productions’ documentary, “Colorama: The Stories Behind the Pictures,” former Kodak photographers Steve Kelly and Sam Campanaro will discuss their roles in documenting American “lifestyle.” On October 11, join them on a  lunchtime gallery tour.

—Courtesy Transit Museum

Pirate’s Cove, Paradise Island, Nassau, Bahamas, diplayed January 10-31, 1966. Photo by Hank Mayer © Eastman Kodak Co. Courtesy George Eastman House.

Taj Mahal, Agra, India, displayed June 1-22, 1964. Photo by Norm Kerr © Eastman Kodak Co. Courtesy George Eastman House

Couple and sailboat, Biscayne Bay, Miami, displayed January 29-February 19, 1968. Photo by Norm Kerr © Eastman Kodak Co. Courtesy George Eastman House.

Swimming Pool, Rochester, NY, displayed July 17-August 8, 1960. Photo by Charlie Baker © Eastman Kodak Co. Courtesy George Eastman House.

 Family by fireplace, displayed March 15-May 5, 1965. Photo by Norm Kerr © Copyright Eastman Kodak Co. Courtesy George Eastman House.

Family with Santa & tree, Brownie Super 27 camera, displayed November 19-December 17, 1962. Photo by Donald Marvin © Eastman Kodak Co. Courtesy George Eastman House.

Season’s Greetings, Deer in Snow, Hoffmeister, New York [near Speculator], displayed December 20-January 6, 1964.Photo by Herbert Archer © Eastman Kodak Co. Courtesy George Eastman House.

Saturday Night Family Bath, displayed February 17-March 9, 1964.Photo by Lee Howick © Eastman Kodak Co. Courtesy George Eastman House.

Girl photographing roses, Jackson & Perkins Rose Gardens, Newark, New York, displayed March 3-27, 1967. Photo by Donald Marvin © Eastman Kodak Co. Courtesy George Eastman House.

 Mother & Child playing dolls, displayed January 10-29, 1962.  Photo by Ralph Amdursky © Eastman Kodak Co. Courtesy George Eastman House.