What causes photo fading to white?

[Runscott]

I don't think it's fading - I think it was printed that way intentionally.

[mr2686]

Agreed that it was intentional. Think of it like watching a widescreen movie on tv, where the picture is filled up from side to side but it has black bars on the top and bottom.

[packs]

If a photo fades unintentionally it's probably an issue with the quality of the paper the photo was printed on not being able to absorb and hold the color.

[drcy]

Photos, or anything printed, fades if you leave them in the sun, but I assume these were made that way.

[bobw]

Not an expert but could it be because they were not printed from the original negative or slide? Someone took a picture of the original picture to get a negative and then used it to print out these copies, like a copy negative? Just a guess.....

[nebboy]

You can burn or dodge effects of shades into photos when they print. A good dark room guy would use paddles (tools) to achieve desired photo malipulation, others would just use a piece if cardboard or what ever was laying around. It was fun being in a darkroom with someone that really know their stuff when it came to special effect or restoring old photos.