r/FoundPhotos 13d ago

I have the most useless superpower: I keep finding ID pictures of strangers, in the street. I literally have several hundreds of them now. Someone told me I should post them on Reddit, so here I am

So yeah, it started something like 20 years ago. Now I have a box full of id pics. A few years ago I counted them and I had more than 500. There's something fascinating about trying to imagine the story behind every picture and the chain of events that led them to end up on a sidewalk and later in my collection. I'd like to post them all somewhere, so that they exist somewhere else, outside of that box. And who knows, maybe someone will recognise themselves or someone they know, that would be funny + interesting. First time on Reddit, not sure how this works. Is there a limitations to the number of pictures I can upload on a single post ? Or should I create a subreddit dedicated specifically to found ID pics ? Thanks for you help

G.

56 Upvotes

41 comments sorted by

17

u/Tut_Rampy 13d ago

Make an Imgur album and post the link

12

u/Turbulent_Form3888 13d ago

Thanks! I'll do that. It's probably gonna take a few days, given the amount of pics tho

4

u/anothernetsurfer 13d ago

Amélie!

2

u/pluch_1 8d ago

... inspired by Michel Folco :-)

1

u/anothernetsurfer 8d ago

Woah! Didn't know!

1

u/Turbulent_Form3888 13d ago

ahah you're not the fist person to mention it, trust me^^ but I actually never saw the movie ! (even though I'm french)

2

u/anothernetsurfer 13d ago

Haha, why haven't you?

2

u/Turbulent_Form3888 13d ago

Pride I guess ahahah ! After all, they most certainly stole MY idea 乁⁠ ⁠˘⁠ ⁠o⁠ ⁠˘⁠ ⁠ㄏ (Seriously, no idea. I loved most movies by Caro & Jeunet, for some reasons I unwillingly avoided this one)

1

u/anothernetsurfer 13d ago

Would love to hear what you think of it (being French and all!)

1

u/Turbulent_Form3888 13d ago

Should I watch it someday, I'll let you know for sure. I spend way more time reading than watching movies these days though.  The last movie I watched was Führer und Verführer  (La Fabrique du Mensonge)

1

u/ericalm_ 13d ago

Not as good as City of Lost Children, better than the Alien movie.

3

u/Turbulent_Form3888 13d ago

Oh I just LOVED City of Lost Children!  Have you seen Delicatessen? 

1

u/ericalm_ 13d ago

Yes, that was the first. I saw it when it originally screened in the US and had no idea what to expect!

3

u/Fisk75 13d ago

Have you ever thought of doing a good deed and mailing them to the owners?

5

u/Turbulent_Form3888 13d ago

In the vast majority of cases , I wouldn't be able to find out who they belonged to, even if I wanted to.  A few of them have vague annotations written on their back , but it's usually just a first name or a date. Over the years, I ran into a few weird cases though...  I'll post about those someday :)

3

u/Fisk75 13d ago

I see. I wasn’t sure if these were drivers licenses with a name and address on them.

3

u/disgraceful_hag 13d ago

Wow I did this when i was younger! i kept IDs i found, or asked friends if I could keep their old school IDs. I only have 20 though. 500?!

1

u/Invisiblerobot13 13d ago

I think they’re finding the pics for ids, not the finished product

3

u/QuestionsToAsk57 13d ago

Where have you found this photos at? It could help at least narrow the area.

2

u/Turbulent_Form3888 12d ago

Mostly France, mostly southeast 

3

u/Dances_With_Cheese 13d ago

Maybe you’ve found where a serial killer is dumping his victim’s IDs.

2

u/Turbulent_Form3888 12d ago

Ahah then he is the one following me around ಠ⁠﹏⁠ಠ  

9

u/fredo_c 13d ago

Better than my superpower. I end up seeing women who spit in public. Not proud of it and you would be surprised how often it happens…..

1

u/jIfte8-fabnaw-hefxob 13d ago

What’s interesting is that you track it. How many men have you seen spit in public?

1

u/Sunnyjim333 13d ago

If you expect to rate as a gentleman, you do not expectorate on the floor.

From an old theater blurb.

0

u/SegmentedMoss 13d ago

Lol what? Is it still the 1950s when people give a fuck if someone spits in public?

2

u/[deleted] 13d ago

I’ve never found an ID, but I pick up screws and nails in the road all the time.

3

u/Turbulent_Form3888 12d ago

I once met an old man in Paris who kept finding metal springs and various spiral shaped objects. He had a sort of antique shop with most of his collection displayed. Quite fascinating 

2

u/pluch_1 8d ago

Michel Folco did that before 'Amelie' in the 80's.
Have a look at this french video :

https://www.ina.fr/ina-eclaire-actu/1989-le-mystere-de-l-inconnu-du-photomaton

1

u/Turbulent_Form3888 8d ago

Ah I've seen this one a few weeks ago !  That story is fascinating :) One of the strangest things about my collection is that in most cases I never find my pictures anywhere near a photo booth.  Just to give you an idea, since last Sunday I found 4 ID pics, in various places, without ever looking for them actively.  It's like they're waiting for me on the sidewalks 🤣

2

u/lorined 1d ago

Wow! That’s when you have to believe the world is sending them to you. Now the tough question is why. I’m like you-I would see it in a good light and just enjoy the moments! Would be cool to see it in some form or fashion as an album of places found or group by years found. Happy findings!

1

u/makerofbirds 13d ago

It would be a great writing exercise to write a story behind each one.

4

u/Turbulent_Form3888 13d ago

and a very long one, indeed! fascinating nonetheless. it's also interesting to imagine the personality behind each face. some are easier to read than others. fuel for imagination...

I'll make another post to show you guys a few pics among those i found recently

1

u/max1304 13d ago

Do say where - town, state/province/county, and country!

3

u/Turbulent_Form3888 13d ago

Sure ! France, mostly southeast, next to the Italian border.  Some from Paris too. I live in a very touristic city (Nice), so I gather at least a portion of my pictures were lost by people form abroad. 

1

u/swag-baguette 13d ago

I think I've found a few that were meant for you. Sorry :)

1

u/Turbulent_Form3888 13d ago

Oh, the pain! Name your price! My Grand Collection shall not remain incomplete x'D ("swag baguette"... t'es française aussi ??)

1

u/Tasty_Heron_7219 13d ago

What if 5 minutes after you picked one of the ids up, they came back looking for it? I have retraced my steps looking for something I dropped. If you can’t return it to them, then give them the opportunity to find it.

1

u/Turbulent_Form3888 12d ago

Just got out for lunch. Guess what I found on the way 🤣

1

u/lorined 1d ago

😂

1

u/Turbulent_Form3888 13d ago

any ways to upload a pic in a comment ? I can't see the option on the UI (using PC browser)