Working on old Pictures

Last Updated: 7th November 2007

Article written by: Vic Warvick

Ready for her first day at school ……..

The following images are of an early day (circa 1930) style of photographic presentation not readily seen today. The subject is a charming picture of my wife taken during 1934 by her father (HJ), who trained and improved under the wing of Marcus Adams, a member of the famous family of Royal Photographers.

There were several steps involved to produce these finished articles (just like digital imagery) – firstly, a plate photograph was taken followed by the usual processing, enlarging and printing.  The finished photograph was pasted onto a piece of plywood then meticulously cut around with a treadle fretsaw, taking great care not to lift or tear the edges.  I still visualise the treadle fretsaw in HJ’s back room!

Later when all was dry and clean, paints and brushes came out and a transformation from ‘Black and White’ into ‘Living Colour’ began.  HJ would spend many hours colour washing and tinting to get things just right, esp. where family was concerned.

To give the reader some idea of scale, this photo/ply artistic creation of my wife measures 12 inches in height (305 mm).

And now, the transformation to Digital Imaging by ‘Canon G7’ and Photoshop……..

First Image:

Straight from the camera showing true condition  –  a little frayed around the edges and creased here and there after 73 years on the loose (a little like me really).

Second Image:

Edges and creases repaired and spruced up by Photoshop,  levels – and lots of clone tool.  I expect the colours to be somewhat ‘off’ but aging has that effect, especially where the surface of the emulsion has crazed.

As always with studio photography of that period the image is very soft.  HJ used to say that you must keep it in soft focus for the ladies, especially with white wedding dresses where exposure was also critical, the Bride's mother would go potty if she couldn't see detail of the wedding dress (couldn't have blown highlights in those days!)  In fact HJ had a 'soft lens' for his studio camera put by for his glamour portraits, which were then given the light box treatment.

If you examine the area around the feet notice the parquet flooring of the studio, and the slightly extended, and uncovered piece of plywood that could be slotted into a base block so the picture would stand up.

In closing dear readers, my wife wishes it to be known that she will not be held responsible for the colour (color) of  her socks  :-)) ..............and please remember, this is not a colour photograph but a reproduction hand tinted B&W photograph now 73 years old so colours will appear a little unrealistic compared  to current effects!