{"id":26018,"date":"2022-02-26T12:12:39","date_gmt":"2022-02-26T01:12:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.phototimetunnel.com\/?p=26018"},"modified":"2022-02-26T12:12:46","modified_gmt":"2022-02-26T01:12:46","slug":"a-tantalising-photo-mystery","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.phototimetunnel.com\/a-tantalising-photo-mystery","title":{"rendered":"A tantalising photo mystery"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

One of the problems with many collections of old photographs and negatives is that they are too often disconnected from their history and provenance. Sometimes that doesn’t really matter. If the subject matter is mostly generic then the images may stand on their own. But some collections cry out for more explanation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I recently bought a small collection of 35 glass plate negatives from a seller in Melbourne. My main reason for buying was the presence in the collection of five plates depicting some of the decorative arches erected in Melbourne at the time of the visit of the Duke and Duchess of York for the opening of the first Australian Commonwealth Parliament in 1901.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n
Two of the 1901 Melbourne plates. At left is the approach to Princes Bridge while at right is the Citizens’ Arch.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
A beautifully executed landscape view on Victoria’s Great Ocean Road.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

When the collection arrived I noted a couple of portraits of a Great War soldier – an officer, I think – an image of Ballarat, Victoria and one of some scenery on The Great Ocean Road. The rest were family shots – a category of image I rarely find particularly noteworthy. Except in this case most of the photographs were really quite exceptional, and I found myself wishing I knew more about the photographer and the family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n
Two portraits of a Great War soldier. Perhaps a descendant will recognise him and help solve the mystery.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Some of the portraits and family shots are exceptionally fine, displaying a real mastery of equipment and technique that must have taken a great deal of practice to attain. Was the photographer a talented amateur or a professional? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n
These portraits of young girls are really exceptional. The depth of field, focus, exposure, posing and composition are all outstanding.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
This extraordinary portrait of a mother and baby is carefully posed and superbly realised. The pose is natural, the exposure even and the strong backlight is expertly compensated for.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
This more prosaic family group might one day yield some clues to the photographer’s identity. I hope so.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
An outdoor composition of great beauty. The dappled light and shade and the understated placement of the figures make a fine picture. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Another fine child portrait. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n
A trio of charming child studies.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Another charming portrait, well-posed and composed.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

It’s probably a forlorn hope, but I really would like to know who took these lovely photos. Perhaps this modest blog post will some day find its way to somebody who knows the answer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n
\n
A Mesopotamian campaign album<\/a><\/blockquote>