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Exactly sixty years ago today my father took this photograph of my mother and me. I know this, because the print is inscribed on the back in my mother's handwriting
"January 1950
12 days old"
- I was born on the 14th, today is the 26th.
My brother Jon sent me the print a day before my birthday this month; he had rescued it from one of our sister's periodic spring-cleans. It's on semi-matte paper; image size exactly 8x6 inches / 20.3x15.2 cm though with a small rebate on the longer side. The original wasn't printed quite squarely on the paper; I have no way of knowing what camera it was taken on. I remember him using only 5"x4" Speed Graphics before taking delivery of a Rolleiflex in about 1960, though during WW2 I think he toted a Contax amongst other cameras; I am aware that several other sizes of Speed Graphic existed. My mother sometimes mentioned a Palmos, which I remember only vaguely.
In all likelihood the film was Ilford HP3.
It looks like a rushed effort: dad probably returned from a job with a dark slide only half used and got mum to hold the baby so that he could use the other half and reload with fresh film for his next assignment, then producing a quick print in a spare moment for the scrap-book that never got made. The sepia in the original is the effect of the years, not of extra toning.
I have no memory of the house - it was somewhere in Southampton - but the chairs and cupboard seem familiar. I can not help noticing his collection of fishing rods and his favourite Hardy reels in the background, while salmon flies hang from the pictures on the wall. A small piece of family history that lay forgotten until a fortnight ago.
I simply scanned the print (V2), straightened it in software and set about removing the accumulated scratches and dustmarks electronically. Perhaps I may claim one small record, though: I expect this is the first time a photograph has appeared in ephotozine sixty years to the day after it was taken!
| Camera: | Speed Graphic |
| Title: | Exactly |
| Username: | 
woolybill1 |
| Uploaded: | 26 Jan 2010 - 9:26 AM |
| Tags: | Black & white, Portraits / people |
| Votes: | 92 |
 | Variant - Before and After |
Comments
This is fabulous and a lovely story Bill.
Heart warming.
Tom.
I think you are probably right to collect that record
60 years ago Bill.I was not born. (just !!) My father was a keen photographer,with his own darkroom.I remember as a young kid in the 50s ''playing'' in it.I always loved the smell that was always there.He eventually banned me when I opened a box of paper to do some drawing's on.I could not understand the fuss he made as I only used three pieces !! After all,he had plenty left !! I knew not to touch the chemicals as he told me my fingers would ''fall off''.Perhaps they would,with the chemicals in these days.He never did warn me about the box of paper,surprisingly enough.I have mentioned before that is is a great family ''mystery'' to what happened to his pics and negs,after his death.They just ''disappeared''.How I would love to get my hands on them now !!
Mick.
A very special record of days long gone by, beautifully restored.
Hugh
A wonderful piece of history Bill, and a great piece of restoration also. What a bonny baby you were, and what a splendid photographer your father was - I can now see who you take after! Thank you for sharing this special memory with us today.
Carol
It is really lovely, I like my textures and would probably have left the scratches on.
Nothing about the camera here....its all about the time, the place, the people, the taker and the occasion.....this is superb, wonderful and you must be so proud, happy and delighted to still have this wonderful image....
I've always liked the old sepia type tone, Bill, a lovely image to still have, evoking memories, its why we take photos,
Adrian
one of those which could date anywhere between a 20 year period, however, judging from the date the world was on the cusp of momentous changes, similar to now. Great to see real furniture (rather than flat pack cardboard). A very fine job in recreating that just printed look too 
Lovely idea to share this with us Bill, smashing, thank you.
John
Belated birthday wishes to you & great your brother was able to save this image for you
Glynnis
Lovely capture of a very proud Mum with her new baby. Her slippers bring back memories too!! Haven't seen any like them for many years now.
Helen
Well now we know where you got the bug from Lad it's in your genes. The old plate cameras produced such huge depth of tones and captured wonderful ight and shade way back then.
We rescued many many images at The Herald and there are some in the Mitchell Library which are Door size and still fabulous. There was a Minimum Palmos I seem to recall.
Belated Birthday Greetings my young friend.
Dougie
Great work on this image, you made a good digital copy to keep it from getting lost,
Johanna
A sentimental image Bill - lovely to read your commentary.
When I first saw it in the thumb, I thought to myself what a lovely bit of composition work went into it. It really is beautifully captured and the light excellent. Your father had a good eye.
Also, it reminded me of one of Harriet Backer's paintings, although the lady in that was sewing by window light.
Enjoyed this bunches.
Anne
That's a heck of a restoration job you did there, Bill. It deserves awards for that alone.
Your dad must have been some photographer. Its a lovely, sensitive portrait, a a very special family moment.
A wonderful image Bill, definitely one to treasure. You've done some excellent restoration work here, thanks for sharing this one with us
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