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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Free Photo Restoration & Date Old Photographs => Topic started by: sydney researcher on Friday 18 October 13 13:47 BST (UK)

Title: G-G Grandmother 1880s: any improvement possible please ?
Post by: sydney researcher on Friday 18 October 13 13:47 BST (UK)
Hi

This is, admittedly, very poor quality image.

Its a scan (200dpi) of a photocopy of an original. Ive tried for years to access the original but not now possible unfortunately.  But a very valued photo.

Is there any improvement that might be possible? im thinking perhaps, removal of the background, to white (except the chair), maybe slight smoothing/blurring, and contrast improvement.

Not expecting miracles, becase there is just not much detail to work with.

Any help from some photo wizards here would be very much appreciated !!
regards
Title: Re: G-G Grandmother 1880s: any improvement possible please ?
Post by: tommyfromri on Friday 18 October 13 17:00 BST (UK)
my go at it.  , Tommy
Title: Re: G-G Grandmother 1880s: any improvement possible please ?
Post by: chrisscales on Friday 18 October 13 18:55 BST (UK)
conservative attempt...
Title: Re: G-G Grandmother 1880s: any improvement possible please ?
Post by: trellisick on Friday 18 October 13 19:10 BST (UK)
Hello SR, Done my best but its a tough one, Trellisick.
Title: Re: G-G Grandmother 1880s: any improvement possible please ?
Post by: Emjaybee on Friday 18 October 13 20:48 BST (UK)
mjb
He looks to have a mourning ribbon on his arm.
Title: Re: G-G Grandmother 1880s: any improvement possible please ?
Post by: jim1 on Friday 18 October 13 22:42 BST (UK)
not 1880's.Early Edwardian.
Title: Re: G-G Grandmother 1880s: any improvement possible please ?
Post by: chinakay on Friday 18 October 13 22:50 BST (UK)
Yep, very early, not as late as about 1905 if the lady was up-to-date. Very definitely not 1880s.

Cheers,
China
Title: Re: G-G Grandmother 1880s: any improvement possible please ?
Post by: sydney researcher on Saturday 19 October 13 01:35 BST (UK)
Thankyou very much Tommy, Chris, Trellisick, and mjb, i like all your versions, despite how poor the original is you managed to bring out hidden detail, amazing !!

Thankyou Chinakay and mjb about the date.  Didnt notice the mourning ribbon before, perhaps this helps date it at the time of the death of Queen Victoria. She died Jan 22 1901, so that would fit in with Edwardian period. 1901 !!! 

The gentleman in the photo, my Great-Great Uncle, Richard Edwards, Welsh born, was elected the first Federal MP for the seat of Brisbane, at first election held March 1901, for the newly created (1st Jan 1901) Commonwealth Of Australia. Even by 1901, he was well known in Brisbane, a prominent citizen, wealthy, and publically known through ownership of the major newspaper at the time. So it would seem to make sense, that as a loyal "British subject" and public official, he might publically wear a mourning ribbon. Queen Victoria's passing was a significant event at the time. (His wife outlived him, as did his children, so mourning ribbon would not have been for a family member). 
Thanks again everyone for your help, much appreciated