RootsChat.Com

Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Free Photo Restoration & Date Old Photographs => Topic started by: LeoHB on Thursday 06 February 14 22:44 GMT (UK)

Title: Make this Scottish Soldier clearer?
Post by: LeoHB on Thursday 06 February 14 22:44 GMT (UK)
Tried to post this earlier but omitted to put Subject!  Apologies, especially if it appears twice.

Already posted this photo to WW1 forum as trying to identify regiment.  The folks there are mainly of the opinion that he's a  Seaforth Highlander but if it could be sharpened up a bit to see the sporran badge, hose tops and other insignia it would be a great help.

Many thanks.

LeoHB
Title: Re: Make this Scottish Soldier clearer?
Post by: themoudie on Friday 07 February 14 00:01 GMT (UK)
Aye Leo,
My apologies, can't make a substantial difference to the areas you mention, because of the scan quality. Is there any chance of scanning the photo at say 300dpi or 600dpi (dots per inch) on your scanner settings and selecting for a colour photo rather than a black and white photo? Might be able to do something then.  :-\
A really good photo nonetheless and the painted backdrop would appear to be of Edinburgh Castle, in the photographers studio. Would the soldier have been stationed at Edinburgh Castle?
Also appears to be a revolver holster on the left-hand side of the uniform belt. Officer?
Hope this may help.
My regards, Bill.
Title: Re: Make this Scottish Soldier clearer?
Post by: Christopher Lewis on Friday 07 February 14 00:16 GMT (UK)
Just tidied the photo up and sharpened slightly.
Title: Re: Make this Scottish Soldier clearer?
Post by: themoudie on Friday 07 February 14 00:41 GMT (UK)
That's a nice job 'Archivescan', but still can't see the detail. Sporran detail doesn't appear correct and the broach holding the plaid is probably a Cairngorm rather than the regimental broach.
May I suggest having a browse through this websites images section there are some really good reference photographs: Scottish_Military_History (http://www.scottishmilitaryresearch.org.uk/page50.htm)

My regards, Bill.
Title: Re: Make this Scottish Soldier clearer?
Post by: saddles on Friday 07 February 14 01:12 GMT (UK)
Hi Bill...I hope there is an improvement although its a very difficult one to bring out the detail.

Carolyn  :)
Title: Re: Make this Scottish Soldier clearer?
Post by: Joyful on Friday 07 February 14 09:25 GMT (UK)
 How lucky you are to have such a lovely photo ;)

Joy
Title: Re: Make this Scottish Soldier clearer?
Post by: ymfoster on Saturday 08 February 14 05:43 GMT (UK)
My effort,  :)

Yvonne
Title: Re: Make this Scottish Soldier clearer?
Post by: LeoHB on Saturday 08 February 14 12:53 GMT (UK)
Thank you everyone.  What a talented lot you are.  I shall have a go at re-scanning as suggested and re-submit.

Found him via his (deceased) brother's record - his details as next of kin are almost illegible but can make out Midlothian, Scotland so Edinburgh backdrop would be appropriate.  It is a lovely photo and as has been pointed out his plaid has been beautifully folded.  On the record dated 1919 he is down as a private but had noticed the revolver holster.  Can't see any rank insignia but the photo is undated so he may have stayed in the forces and been commissioned at a later date, possibly 1920s? 

Concerning the brooch holding the plaid I found this photo via the site suggested http://www.scottishmilitaryarticles.org.uk/smhshaltwhogoes40.htm  of private in the Seaforths in 1897 with similar brooch. 

Thanks for all your kind comments, help and suggestions.  I'll follow them up

Leo
Title: Re: Make this Scottish Soldier clearer?
Post by: LeoHB on Saturday 08 February 14 15:20 GMT (UK)
I've rescanned as a colour photo as per your suggestion Bill.  The resolution appears to be set at 2400dpi.

Hope this might make a difference

Thanks

leo

Title: Re: Make this Scottish Soldier clearer?
Post by: LeoHB on Saturday 08 February 14 15:24 GMT (UK)
Sorry!  Forgot to attach!