Wire Photo Question

thecatspajamas · #1 10-13-2012, 09:29 PM

Ben, glad to be able to add something helpful. I must admit that the actual "wire photo" process was a mystery to me for a long time until I ran across a reference to one of those films. When I saw them, it was like the proverbial lightbulb turning on for me. It's really pretty amazing technology for the time when you think about it!

My favorite quote: "...and here is the finished picture, just 8 minutes by wire..."

Can you imagine how long it would have taken to transmit all of the photos used in just a single edition of a newspaper? Let alone the cumulative time to transmit all of the wire photos in any given paper's archives?

mybestbretts · #2 10-14-2012, 06:56 PM

You have received some great advise. I might just add that whether it
is a type 1 or 3 it may be the only one, or at least very limited, of that
particular photo. I generally like to look for a photo that catches my eye
or is for instance, the world series, playoffs, etc. Might just be one of the
player horsing around. For the most part though, I try to buy the original photo. One thing I have noticed that relatives or people have bought negitaves of old pictures and are selling them on ebay. They might be nice but totally worthless.

71buc · #3 10-14-2012, 07:55 PM

Has anyone attempted to remove editorial marks from photos? I don't mind them when they don't effect the central image. However, I have passed on a number of otherwise beautiful photos. If you have removed them how sucessfull have you been, did you damage the photo, and what process did you utilize?

mybestbretts · #4 10-15-2012, 09:12 AM

Hi Mike:

I haven't tried it but have heard that they (I believe) just wipe off.

mybestbretts · #5 10-15-2012, 09:14 AM

I look forward to the responses to this

drc · #6 10-15-2012, 12:57 PM

I handled a massive news photo collection for an auction house. While the editorial markings never bothered me, there were a lot here that would be nice to remove (if I was the photo owner, not auctioneer).

thecatspajamas · #7 10-15-2012, 01:08 PM

It depends on which type of editorial "markings" you are talking about. There are the black or red grease pencil-type markings that can be wiped off with a soft cloth (or so I'm told, never tried it myself).

Then you have the "cover up" markings that are basically like paint on the surface of the photo, usually white, gray or black. I haven't heard a reliable method of getting that off without damaging the emulsion surface of the photograph itself.

If there is a way to remove that paint without damaging the photo, I'd be glad to hear it, because as others have said, I've passed on a few photos that would otherwise be nice shots because of such editorial cover-ups. Maybe there needs to be a photograph conservation / repair thread that covers these topics (as well as how to remove that doggone black scrapbook paper that is often firmly affixed to photos).

repsher · #8 10-15-2012, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 71buc

Has anyone attempted to remove editorial marks from photos? I don't mind them when they don't effect the central image. However, I have passed on a number of otherwise beautiful photos. If you have removed them how sucessfull have you been, did you damage the photo, and what process did you utilize?

Mike, I've used PEC-12 emulsion cleaner to remove editorial markings with great sucess. I use small cotton wipes and also wear cotton gloves while doing the work.
I've only had it not work once, where there was an "X" over the face and it would not remove. I've never damaged a photo.

Links to what I've used :

http://www.adorama.com/CHPEC12.html

http://www.adorama.com/AM61002.html

http://www.amazon.com/PEC-PAD-Lint-F.../dp/B0001M6K24

71buc · #9 10-15-2012, 08:12 PM

Thanks for the great information I will give it a try.

Quote:

Originally Posted by repsher

Mike, I've used PEC-12 emulsion cleaner to remove editorial markings with great sucess. I use small cotton wipes and also wear cotton gloves while doing the work.
I've only had it not work once, where there was an "X" over the face and it would not remove. I've never damaged a photo.

Links to what I've used :

http://www.adorama.com/CHPEC12.html

http://www.adorama.com/AM61002.html

http://www.amazon.com/PEC-PAD-Lint-F.../dp/B0001M6K24

thecatspajamas · #10 10-15-2012, 08:40 PM

Ryan, just to be sure I'm clear, have you used this to remove the paint-type editorial applications, or only the grease pencil/marker type markings? I read through a number of the reviews of the product (also available on Amazon), and most seemed to be glowing so I'll probably pick some up to try. I'm just wondering what types of removals you have had luck with.

repsher · #11 10-15-2012, 09:43 PM

Yes, It's more work and you have to have patience with it but it does come off. I spray it directly onto the photo and if it's paint I work on a small spot before moving on.

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