grandpa is going a bit weird (includes image, fungal growth, film but not Leica)

[SJP]

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See attached picture (film, not Leica, still it may be of interest).

 

This photo used to be black and white, but he (the picture) is turning magenta and seems to be suffering from some deterioration. Guestimate is that it is about 40-50 years old.

 

I cannot recall seeing this sort of slow discoloration before on any silver/halide image.

 

I expect it is something like oxidation of the silver (or reaction with sulfur Ag => AgS). The negative is long gone, as has grandpa Howell (he consulted the GP when he was 96 to ask if he should stop smoking.....).

 

I guess I have to grin and bear it, but still.... what is going on?.

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[earleygallery]

I collect old photos. They are mostly excellent condition although some are faded and some are sepia in tone but I've not seen this before.

 

Maybe the print wasn't washed thoroughly enough and it's traces of chemical reacting over a long period of time.

 

There is a cure. Scan and PP the original print and make a new version. I've 'saved' some of my more faded prints this way.

 

If you can't do this yourself send me a PM.

[pico]

I have seen this a lot in old prints done on double-weight, warm, matte paper and it arose in part from incomplete washing. The silver is oxidizing. I do not know how you would repair the original print without risking further damage.

 

James' advice just above is right-on. It will be fairly straightforward to make a digital repair.

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[spydrxx]

I've done a number of digital repairs on similar situations of some of my old family photos from the late 1800s and early 1900s, so take heart.... I still occasionally drag out the originals to view their "warmth" and "patina".

[AlanG]

from - PMG Silver Mirroring - Wiki

 

3.2.3.3 Sulfiding

Refers to the conversion of silver to silver sulfide resulting in a reddish-brown or yellow-greenish discoloration that can be uneven or overall (as in sepia-toned photographs) depending in the source of the sulfur among other things. Silver is deposited around silver sulfide nuclei. The source of sulfur can be from processing or from an exterior source such as poor quality housing materials, adhesives, or airborne pollutants.

 

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The easiest solution would be to scan the image in gray scale and reprint it.

[jneilt]

I have no advice on the photo, however, my in-laws have that tiger print at their weekend place. Small world.

[gravastar]

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You may find it advantageous to scan the print in color and then use (if you have Photoshop) the Channel Mixer to convert the image to grey scale. The reason I say this is because after scanning the discolored areas could have a different density to their adjacent non colored areas. By adjustment of the RGB channels you should be able to "color filter" the image so that the areas match. If you don't have Photoshop then any program that allows you to adjust the RGB values or color balance may suffice.

 

Bob.

[AlanG]

You may find it advantageous to scan the print in color and then use (if you have Photoshop) the Channel Mixer to convert the image to grey scale. The reason I say this is because after scanning the discolored areas could have a different density to their adjacent non colored areas. By adjustment of the RGB channels you should be able to "color filter" the image so that the areas match. If you don't have Photoshop then any program that allows you to adjust the RGB values or color balance may suffice.

 

Bob.

 

This makes sense and having a full color copy is always a good idea. But I split the channels and also did a grey conversion and I think they all could work but the red channel has a bit more snap without doing any further adjustments.

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[SJP]

I have no advice on the photo, however, my in-laws have that tiger print at their weekend place. Small world.

?????

Even smaller than we may think, as the tiger is the original, we still have it. Signed "G Friendship" (granny, mothers side).. Apparently she made this at school, so that would put it roughly 1900, would need to do some digging through paperwork to get a better estimate of the year.

 

Do you have a picture of the tiger print? Maybe it was based on an "example"??

[too old to care]

I like to play with old photos too. Added a bit of dodge and burn here and there to help cover the light spots. Could be much better with more time spent. But, converting it to digital and working with the photo is probably the best.

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[jneilt]

?????

Even smaller than we may think, as the tiger is the original, we still have it. Signed "G Friendship" (granny, mothers side).. Apparently she made this at school, so that would put it roughly 1900, would need to do some digging through paperwork to get a better estimate of the year.

 

Do you have a picture of the tiger print? Maybe it was based on an "example"??

 

 

Hmmmm...I could swear that whats at their place is exactly what is in that photo...

 

That would be wild. I will be there in July and get a photo of it...

[SJP]

Thanks to all that took the effort for some recuperation, we will await any info on the tiger with some interest. Any more similar specimens out there??

[tobey bilek]

My wife`s father was a doc also. One day 96 year old Pete asked the same question about smoking.

 

He was advised not to stop.

 

Absolutely true story.