F r e s h ®
The Victorians - 1
Posted by Michael Fresh (Chester, United Kingdom) on 26 July 2011 in Cityscape & Urban and Portfolio.
In my archives I have a collection of coloured images from 1890 that appear to be photographs but in fact they are ink-based photolithographs. They are photographs that have been chemically treated in order to print with ink. The prints were then scanned to a digital image format.
I hope you enjoy these scenes as much as I do, it's a fascinating glimpse into life as it was for the Victorians.
My book entitled, Looe in Cornwall a photographic tour, is on sale now.
Phil David Morris 2011 from Saskatoon, Toronto, Canada
When you see an amazing shot like this, you just want to leave it all behind and be there.
So beautiful and a photo that seems to call out to you whenever you see something like it.
Most beautiful, I cannot wait for the rest of this series.
26 Jul 2011 6:04am
@Phil David Morris 2011: More following Paul.
Christine from Duns, United Kingdom
A really lovely tranquil scene, a wonderful tone. everyone walking at a leisurley pace and I was about to say and no mobiles, but I have just noticed the guy with the lady at the front has just answered his. Joking apart I could spend ages looking at all the detail, the signs, the hats etc.
26 Jul 2011 6:37am
Stephen from Canberra, Australia
Wow - fabulous processing and wonderful project. An incredible vista we see here - brings the Victorian age to life!
26 Jul 2011 8:24am
@Smitha: You're welcome.
foto forte from Phoenix, United States
Fascinating...and wonderful. Michael, thank you for posting this...I could look and look..every time I do, there is something new I see. Such a different life....I can't even imagine life like this, isn't that silly?
26 Jul 2011 9:17am
@foto forte: No not at all, I can't even imagine it and I'm closer to it than you :0
CElliottUK from Reading, United Kingdom
A quieter time, maybe shot on a Sunday, as everyone seems to be in their finery
26 Jul 2011 11:14am
Laurie from Prescott, United States
Mike this is fabulous! I can't imagine being a photographer in 1890. The clarity and detail are wonderful. Beautiful!
26 Jul 2011 11:31am
@Laurie: The quality is exceptionally good, I didn't even know that they could take such images back then.
grouser from Ludlow, United Kingdom
How interesting Mike. My first thought had been that you had photographed a very good model
26 Jul 2011 1:41pm
@grouser: You were deceived...!
Tede from Aubenas 07, France
Really splendid, you have a superb collection and rendering is magnificent. Good day.
26 Jul 2011 2:44pm
Don from Spokane, United States
The resulting image is very nostalgic and appealing. Love those muted colors.
26 Jul 2011 3:11pm
Mhelene from Paris, France
A priceless collection to see the life at this period !
26 Jul 2011 3:29pm
@Mhelene: Merci, thank you very much for your appreciation.
DESPITE STRAIGHT LINES from United Kingdom
We tend to look back with rose tinted spectacles, overlooking the poverty and disease, the social forces at play and other factors, but I can't help wish the purity of those days was still with us now. Life was altogether more leisurely back then with the emphasis on the family unit, without the pitfalls and trappings of the modern day throw away, must-have society. Personal possessions were pretty much non existent then and I think we were a far more tolerant race.
I love to see images such as this that give us an all too brief glimpse of life in the days before consumerism and greed rode roughshod over the soul of mankind. A gem of an image Mike, time in a bubble that has sadly now been burst.
26 Jul 2011 4:19pm
@DESPITE STRAIGHT LINES: This scene shows what might be a very cultured way of life, and respectable people with manners. And as you quite rightly mention the rose tinted glasses which do not show the outside shared toilets, and the daily scrubbing and toil to keep everything clean. But women knew their place back then, and knew they had to please their husband, even accepting the fact that he had a mistress every Friday. What a wonderful position those Victorian chaps had.
Steven from Chicagoland, United States
And what a great way to preserve these! I can't help but echo DSL's sentiments. Thanks for sharing, Michael!
26 Jul 2011 8:42pm
@Steven: You're welcome and thank you.
Daryl Johnson from New Malden, United Kingdom
Fascinating, really great detail from the scan.
26 Jul 2011 10:18pm
Dokmateo from Spain
Wow excellent and very interesting photos. Hope to see more! Nice composition!
26 Jul 2011 10:28pm
Bettina from Los Angeles, United States
This is amazing. Doesn't look like a lithograph. Really quite realistic. Beautiful image.
26 Jul 2011 11:20pm
@Bettina: Many thanks, more pictures to follow.
Steve Rice from Olympia, United States
You've got a treasure here, Mike. Look at those hats and that lion. A most fascinating and exciting series you are treating us to.
27 Jul 2011 4:33am
Florence from Paris, France
I really enjoy and share this fascination Michael, beeing a fan as well of old
photographs or postcards showing Paris in the early XX. Those colored ones have a charming aspect, it really renders a peaceful atmosphere.
I am always amazed about it. Sobriety and pretty-pretty architecture offer an
outstanding tranquility which seems to have disappears into the air nowadays.
Thanks for sharing.
27 Jul 2011 8:42am
Ronnie 2¢ from Atlantic Shores, United Kingdom
Difficult to believe that this is only just outside a lifetime ago . . it is interesting not just for the differences from today but, as much for the similarities !
Do you know the locations and can they be visited and compared today, I wonder ?
28 Jul 2011 8:56am
Anne from 新加坡, Singapore
Really fantastic photo..a treasure..thanks for sharing this series, love it !!
30 Jul 2011 11:35am
GJC from Kyoto (京都), Japan
Thank you for posting this series! It's absolutely fantastic. I love all the small details, and the quality of the color is so captivating. You have some real treasures, and I am glad you shared them with us.
9 Aug 2011 11:15am
