Restoration of old photos of the Cotswolds
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For some time I have had an interest in photography to the extent of developing my own films and self teaching myself to make my own Black & White slides. This was in the pre-digital days of course when many hours were spent in a makeshift darkroom under the stairs before eventually emerging into the brilliant natural light at the end of the session when you realise your eyes are at F2 and you need a minute or two to adjust to the glare!
Nowadays however, we have the luxury of digital from the humble smartphone to the more serious DSLR & Mirrorless cameras. The darkroom is no longer required, just a PC or laptop and any after processing can be done in the comfort of the lounge.
In the pioneering days of photography, it was a very complex exercise with heavy, bulky cameras and glass plates were used to record the images which lasted from the 1880's until the early 20th Century. One of the pioneers was Frith whose images are to be seen in many publications and postcards.
This process was our good fortune as the glass plates were of a large format and could capture incredible detail that enhancement and computer software can reveal. So, purely for enjoyment, I have found out how to bring back some occasionally stunning images from the past.
Pittville Gardens, Cheltenham
In Photo number 1 you will see a typical post card, in this case it is a scene from Pittville Park (Pittville Gardens), Cheltenham. As you can see, the image is without too much definition and is rather flat and featureless but it had potential so it became probably the first image that I used my 'skills' on.
How I enhance these old images of which there are literally thousands in circulation, either as postcards or in old publications is firstly to scan them in greyscale at 600dpi. Obviously you need a flatbed scanner to do this but I found that 600dpi was more than enough to capture as much detail as possible.
Next, I convert the scanned image to RGB colour, even though it is black & white because the software I use needs this format to work with. I then run a noise filter to remove any noise and print grain before I adjust the contrast and the brightness to a more acceptable level. At this point, it is all too easy to overdo things so a bit at a time as each image can be different. Lastly, I use a sharpen filter to gently bring things into a better focus and tweak any previous stages as needed. All takes a bit of time but as with most things, perseverance pays dividends.
The results can be stunning as you will see in Photo number 2.
You soon get to know the quality images that were originally on glass plates as a film photo was never as good for detail.
I have had many old images sent to me from friends that can be enhanced plus many have been found in old books but naturally the actual photo, if you can get it, will always yield better results.
Ludgate Hill, Wotton-under-Edge
This is Ludgate Hill, Wotton-under-Edge photographed in 1910. The nameplates are now clearly visible, on the left is The Glaziers Arms Inn whilst on the right, a lantern reads 'Conservative &l Unionist Club' just up from the Nailsworth Brewery for Ales & Stouts. In the middle distance is a shop called 'Ludgate No 4 Branch House'. What exactly this was I have no idea...a Co-operative Grocers shop possibly but a nice clear image of 111 years ago showing fine detail and exceptional clarity. With careful use of the software, we can see the scene as intended from the eyes of the original photographer.
Water carriers in Stroud Road, Bisley
This image, unfortunately not quite so sharp as it arrived from a friend via email but nevertheless it has improved quite well using the above method. This one depicts water carriers in Stroud Road, Bisley in 1910. Water is something that today we all take for granted but back then, it was a daily chore to carry it back home. Considering that 1 Gallon of water will weigh slightly over 10lbs, you can imagine the weight of each bucket they are carrying. There would have been a well in the village or if they were very lucky, a village pump.
Frogmarsh, South Woodchester
This image has to have been on a glass plate and is a photo taken in 1902 in Frogmarsh, South Woodchester. Note the traditional 'Haystack' on the left of the Tower. The clarity of this image was originally really good, hence the fine detailing now visible. The curious round tower was once used in connection with the cloth industry by drying the seed heads of Teasels. These provided a natural comb to 'tease' the cloth to remove loose fibres and to give the cloth a better finish. This tower is still there today but is now a private dwelling.
The Fossbridge Hotel
The final photo included in this blog is more up to date and in this case most likely taken on film but the clarity suggests that it was a decent format as the detail on the original allows enhancement to a very acceptable level. It is of course, The Fossbridge Hotel, probably at some time in the thirties. This is a 300-year-old Coaching Inn situated on the A429 between Northleach and Cirencester. Note the early style petrol pump where the petrol being served on the left was Shell Mex at 1/3d a gallon.
Well, I think I will finish at this point but I hope you have enjoyed reading my first blog and hopefully you now have an insight as to how these wonderful images of the past can be digitised and enhanced to reveal some hidden details. All credit to the original photographers who could never have known that their pioneering work could be enjoyed by all after more than a century has passed.
Brian Gibbs
Last updated: 23 August 2023 - Please note: This blog was first written over a year old and things may have changed since the blog was written.
