You can have great fun with artificial intelligence by asking it to transform a familiar picture of your favourite relative into an image of a 19th century Victorian gentleman - or whatever you like. More revealing, though, is taking a century old studio portrait and using AI to dress the subjects in modern clothing. My … Continue reading Revealing Dress
Tag: Old Photographs
The Maid And The Watchers
This photograph, which I suspect dates from the 1920s, was in an old album I bought on eBay. The first thing to capture your attention is the maid, enjoying a moment of freedom - or sunshine - before returning to her duties in the big house. Then you notice the watchers. Who are they? And … Continue reading The Maid And The Watchers
What’s In The Parcel?
This is a picture of my Uncle John and Auntie Doris, taken 75 years ago. I have lived with this picture all of my life - seeing it as a child, sticking out of crumbling photo albums; as an adult, confined to cardboard boxes of family memories; and as an old man, where it has … Continue reading What’s In The Parcel?
Let’s Face It, AI
AI-driven image restoration programmes are undoubtedly getting more sophisticated, and their use is clearly much more widespread than in the past. However, I still have reservations about how they treat faces. That little extra smoothing and additional touch of colour too often seem to change a recognisable face into something indistinct and slightly foreign. Interestingly, … Continue reading Let’s Face It, AI
In Search Of Art
There sometimes comes a point when old photographs become more than just a historical record or a family memory and instead blossom into works of art in their own right. Sometimes this is obvious; other times you have to search for it within the very fabric of the image. Once found, the effort is always … Continue reading In Search Of Art
Glasgow Days
Some years ago, I acquired a small collection of glass negatives - photographs taken in and around Glasgow between the early 1920s and the mid-1930s. Today’s image comes from that collection and shows the University of Glasgow and Kelvingrove Park. It feels especially fitting, because I’m travelling up to Glasgow today to spend a few … Continue reading Glasgow Days
Albert And Gladys
This is a photograph of my parents, Albert and Gladys Burnett, which must have been taken just under a century ago (it makes me feel old just writing that!). In his 20s, my father was a keen cyclist, whilst my mother was more of a reluctant one. By his 30s, he had graduated to motorbikes, … Continue reading Albert And Gladys
Bank Holiday Monday
The wind and the rain have finally cleared, so I no longer have to rely on old photographs for my daily calendar. Happy Easter, everyone.
Albert And The Machine
The photograph was taken 70 years ago at Mackintosh's factory in Halifax. It shows a group of mechanics and engineers proudly gathered around the latest wrapping machine they have installed. My father, Albert, appears to be the proudest of the lot (seated just to the left of centre). The machine looks like it could launch … Continue reading Albert And The Machine
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