Identifying photographs
Last updated
Was this helpful?
Last updated
Was this helpful?
Look at clues in the subject of the photograph. What are the people wearing? How is their hair styled? Are there vehicles in shot? Any buildings? These can all be good indicators of placing a photograph after a specific time period.
The format of the photograph can also indicate an earliest possible time period ie. a Carte de visite could be dated earlier than a postcard.
Stamps, dates, inscriptions and lettering can again help narrow down the possible dates of the techniques. Sometimes they even state the technique outright!
Whilst paper is the most common support, certain supports can indicate a specific technique is more likely. For example glass supports are more likely to be wet plate collodion and gelatin dry plate process and metal supports are most likely to be daguerreotypes or tintypes.
The chemicals used in the process as well as the stability of the compounds over time will affect the colour of the photograph. This helps show the visual difference in colour and tone and for specific image deterioration that might indicate specific techniques.
How does the print reflect or not reflect light. chart helps identify whether it is matte, glossy or somewhere in-between.
Includes an identification tool and general advice on how to identify techniques and processes for photographs and photographic prints including timelines. The process advice above has also been developed from this resource but omits the advanced magnification stage.
Guides for the most common photographic techniques of the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Youtube video guides for common photographic techniques
There are also short summary videos and longer webinars available through and a website dedicated to .