Vintage photo trapped behind glass

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King Duck
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Vintage photo trapped behind glass

Post by King Duck »

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Hi there, was hoping I could get some opinions.

I have a customer who has an old photograph from around the 60's by the look of it. It has been in a glass clip frame it's whole life with the image pressed up against the glass. The customer would like the image reproduced and reframed but is concerned about damaging the picture while removing it from the frame.

I think it will be fine to take the glass off but I wanted to ask around to see what you all think as she has expressed a specific concern. Will the photo be alright?
Roboframer

Re: Vintage photo trapped behind glass

Post by Roboframer »

No-one can answer that with confidence.

Look for blotches where it might be stuck to the glass. Clean the outside of the glass thoroughly and scan the photo behind the glass, then remove the back and see what happens.
Graysalchemy

Re: Vintage photo trapped behind glass

Post by Graysalchemy »

I agree there is no way of knowing really, I would get a good reproduction of the photo before you start (if you start). It may be best to just make a copy and frame that. If it has been in a clip frame for that long it is likely that the emulsion will be stuck to the glass IMHO.
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Re: Vintage photo trapped behind glass

Post by IFGL »

Looks tome like it is stuck to the glass in quite a large area in the middle, there are ways of f getting it off but definitely get permission from your customer, I would definitely recommend scanning it through the glass first as Roboframer suggests.
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Re: Vintage photo trapped behind glass

Post by King Duck »

Cheers folks.
I will give a quote for the scan and prints and then see if they want to take a chance on the re-framing. Probably best to shove it back in the loft and enjoy the new prints.

Jack
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Re: Vintage photo trapped behind glass

Post by pramsay13 »

I think the large area in the middle is the reflection of the camera.
I've not had a problem with photographs sticking to glass before, only watercolours.
As others have said scan it first and then take it apart and see.
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Re: Vintage photo trapped behind glass

Post by vintage frames »

I love the old clip-frame. Why don't you persuade your customer to recognize it's value and replace what looks like it's front mount. The '60s colour tones match perfectly.
Jamesnkr

Re: Vintage photo trapped behind glass

Post by Jamesnkr »

I'd go one further; I love the mount too - for the photo.
Roboframer

Re: Vintage photo trapped behind glass

Post by Roboframer »

Absolutely - go on - talk yourself out of a nice job :-)
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Re: Vintage photo trapped behind glass

Post by vintage frames »

I would say it's better to inform the customer of the frame's aesthetic value and so earn their respect. This would surely encourage further work.
Graysalchemy

Re: Vintage photo trapped behind glass

Post by Graysalchemy »

But clearly that style of framing is damaging if not damaged the print, surely you should advise with steps to preserve the print not allow it to deteriorate further.
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Re: Vintage photo trapped behind glass

Post by vintage frames »

I know ... but it is only a photograph. As you say, inform the customer of any risks and let them choose what's best.
Graysalchemy

Re: Vintage photo trapped behind glass

Post by Graysalchemy »

It's not just a photo is a treasured family memory something that cannot be replaced. Saying it's just a photo is a little flippant.

Also if the customer has brought it into br framed that's what they want :head: . It's not upto us to tell them to keep the old frame because we think it looks nice or retro. If they wanted that they wouldn't have come into the shop.
King Duck
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Re: Vintage photo trapped behind glass

Post by King Duck »

Haha, yeah if someone comes in with a job then I'm not going to talk them out of it! In this case though if she's getting prints done anyway then I can happily push the framing onto those and leave the decision about salvaging the original up to her after I explain the risks.

Thanks for all the input, appreciate it.
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Re: Vintage photo trapped behind glass

Post by IFGL »

Ahhh yes it is the reflection of the camera.

Not sure what you guy's saying this truly abhorrent mount suits the picture are on about, it is ugly as sin, completely takes the focus off the image, it was carp 50 years ago and it is still carp today, because it is old dose not make it good.
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Re: Vintage photo trapped behind glass

Post by vintage frames »

Let's not argue semantics.
I'm only saying that the early 60's frame is a very attractive item and it would be a kind and informative action to tell the customer so.
The mount .... I'm not sure.
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Re: Vintage photo trapped behind glass

Post by Not your average framer »

What's the big deal? Carefully clean the glass, applying the glass cleaner sparingly to the cleaning cloth, so that the glass cleaner cannot get on the photo scan it and get a new photo made from the scan.

I do this sort of thing from time to time and have regularly use a local photo lab where the owner knows what he's doing. It's usually only a mimimal cost and the results are always great.

By the way, I use a Cannon Canoscan scanner which has a surprisingly good depth of focus and the focus remains good even though there is an extra thickness of glass.

Tip; Clean the glass on the scanner as well, before you do this. It can help avoid strange reflective effects.
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Re: Vintage photo trapped behind glass

Post by pramsay13 »

This customer talked me into keeping the old frame.
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Roboframer

Re: Vintage photo trapped behind glass

Post by Roboframer »

vintage frames wrote:I'm only saying that the early 60's frame is a very attractive item.
What frame?
Roboframer

Re: Vintage photo trapped behind glass

Post by Roboframer »

pramsay13 wrote:This customer talked me into keeping the old frame.
So that was what they wanted to start with; you suggested a total re frame/mount but lost?
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