Scanner v Camera
When I get asked why I don’t use a scanner I always answer because of the resolution but it’s also the ability to focus on the subject and not have a mount alter the focus position. This is a case in point. It’s a CdV Ferrotype from USA around 1862 and the image is approx […]
Thermoplastic Union Cases
This Ambrotype from about 1870 is housed in a well preserved case made of ‘Gutta-Percha’ which is an early mouldable plastic made from natural resins and wood pulp. It could be pressed into amazing designs. This example is fairly basic but still crisp an clear. The inner is similar to the traditional wooden/ leather cases […]
Online talks on Understanding your old photos
This week I have two more online talks – Manchester and Lancashire on Wednesday and Westbury on Thursday. I think Manchester will be a big one with people from all over the world taking part. I have books going out this week to Bristol and Denver, Colorado so it is a real honour to be […]
School photos
Do you remember the old school photos of the entire school? They were long and thin with thousands of pupils. They often are rolled up so tightly they have now cracked and are badly damaged. This is one such roll. But by treating it first to relax the paper fibres it’s then to re-photograph it […]
Vignacourt Images
During the first world war a couple in Vignacourt near the Somme turned a barn into a photographic studio. Many years later many hundreds of glass negatives were found including these two. The relatives of the couple were traced and they wanted them restoring. One is a double exposure, so the plate has been used […]
The Genealogy Show
This July I am honoured to be one of the specialist speakers on the Genealogy Show. A month long exhibition and speaker event aimed at anyone interested in Family History. Click on the link for more details. https://thegenealogyshow.uk
New books to help Family Historians and Genealogists
When we look at people in our old photographs we may well want to know more about them. Who are they, when was it taken, how was it taken? There are countless tomes out there that describe in detail some ways of discovering the answer. But I believe many of those books just aren’t readable. […]
The Family Detective
My new book, ‘The Family Detective” is available now. If you have a collection of old photographs and want to know more about them, their history, the techniques, the story they tell – then this is the book for you. Over 250 illustration in colour, 140 pages including great reference sections will guide you through […]
Qualification Success
I was delighted last week to receive notification that I have been awarded the highest qualification available to photo-restorers, the Fellowship of the Royal Photographic Society. Founded in 1839 it is the oldest organisation in the world dedicated to photography and associated arts and crafts. Receiving this accolade I understand I am the only photo […]
Zoom Talks and Lectures
This Friday I will be presenting a talk to Buckinghamshire Family History Society on the History of Family Photography via Zoom. Apart from all the members of the Society in this country there will be others from Europe and even Australia. So if you want a speaker for your society and you are running meetings […]