« Aesthetic Choices Considered ... »

If you are uninterested in the technical aspects of antique images and their restoration, then just look at this lovely portrait, enjoy it, read no further.

As film improved in its capacity to reproduce fine tonal gradations and paper emulsions were developed that prevented the paper fibers from intruding on the quality of the image, photographers took advantage of the possibilities. The portrait subject's face became the point – painted backgrounds, strong directional light and focus on clothing were no longer employed.

The charm of this young girl's portrait is more than her natural beauty, though that cannot be denied, it is all about taking advantage of the technology and making excellent choices. The depth of field (critical focal sharpness) is shallow, restricted only to the face, which further serves to heighten the dramatic effect. She may be 13 or 14 years old but you find yourself convinced that you can imagine how she may have looked at 18, 22 or even 30.

This print suffered from the usual abrasions and minor staining, but the hard, glossy paper surface sited above prevented the accumulation of the dirt that makes restoration so much more difficult; in this case I was able to exactly preserve the as-found tone which, though it may have changed somewhat over the years from what it was originally, was stunning.