when and why?

[sherlock2]

Hi, happy Easter everyone.
I wonder if anyone can clean this up a bit, despeckle it, and perhaps jiggle the focus and contrast. I'm hoping to enlarge it a little and frame it as a present. Not sure about the background though, it looks too false, as if it's a screen or a projected image. I think it would look better in black and white rather than the almost sepia it is now, don't you think?
If any of you experts out there can date it, that would be great. I understand that the card dates it to 1903+ and this young chap died in 1910 at only 32. It's always been a mystery to us why a young man in his late 20's, of no great means financially, would take himself off to a studio to have this taken, at that time.
I've tried to research the photographer, H. Rumbold, but no luck so far.
Many thanks for any help.

[jim1]

This is a studio portrait with a typical 1890's -1900's backdrop & cardstock.His dress style suggests 1905-15 but as he died 1910 you can take off 5.
Even those with limited income had their picture taken at some time usually to celebrate an occasion,what that might be isn't always that easy but this could be a birthday or engagement or for a close family member if he is away from home.
As you're asking for an opinion on whether this would look better in b & w my answer is no.

jim

[imstillstanding]

A great photo, lovely looking gent, best kept in B+w i would say, look at the size of his hands........... a hard worker

[Finley 1]

in blk/w

xin

[troman]

Hi

My first attempt at this so no miracles!

[Finley 1]

hello Troman 

that looks darn good to me...

xin