Can anyone make it clearer please.

[Lynntony]

Apart from butchers, what sort of profession involved the man wearing an apron

The only thing that springs to mind is an inn keeper.

Tony

[danuslave]

Didn't grocers and people like that wear them too?  Anyone involved in measuring out loose 'stuff' that might mark their clothes   

Linda

[chinakay]

Shopkeepers in general?

[cazza59]

A very quick play until you can hopefully get a better scan.

Caroline

[duckboy]

The aprons are baffling. the younger lady is wearing what appears to be a cloth tucked into her waistband or belt.  The man appears to be have a ladies shawl wrapped around his waist, maybe he is trying to hide something a stain or something or he has just left his trousers at home. As this appears to be a studio portrait is seems strange that they are wearing aprons so maybe they represent a trade or business.

[genjen]

Thank you for all your suggestions and improvements, they are much appreciated.

I went to bed with another question in my mind.

What age do you think these people are? I'm not going to say what I think until you have had a chance to comment but I do know what age they ought to be in the late 1870s, if they are the people we would like them to be.

I have another photograph of the young woman, which also has its eyes poked out. Why would anyone do that? I'll post that one as well....see what you think.

Jen

[genjen]

Here she is. The contact who sent me these photographs thinks that this is the same person as the young woman on the right of the first photograph. Looking again, I'm not convinced. But we do know for certain who this one is because it is named on the back with her maiden name and both of her married names. She is my great grandfather's sister.

[maidmarianoops]

seems like a mans face i can make out eye and ear on man in middle

is it a lady sitting at the back of the man
sylvia

[maidmarianoops]

hope this helps
i think she looks like the lady on the right

sylvia