Need advice on old photo as to what year taken

BGC · Aug 30, 2017

I have an old photo taken in the late 60's early 70's. What I need to know is there somewhere that professionally dates photos? Not really sure how to phrase question. We have a photo of a piece of furniture made overseas and the receipt of origin as to date made was tossed not too long ago. Thanks

Sirius Glass · Aug 30, 2017

Welcome to APUG or whatever this is called today. Post the photographs and some of us may be able to approximate a range of dates.

Theo Sulphate · Aug 30, 2017

If there are any markings on the back of the photo, show that as well.

David A. Goldfarb · Aug 31, 2017

Welcome to Photrio (formerly known as APUG).

The "Feedback and Discussion" forum is only for discussion of the Photrio community itself and its software. The thread has been moved to the "Antiques and Collecting" forum, which seems like the best place to discuss issues like dating old photographs.

removed account4 · Aug 31, 2017

BGC said:
I have an old photo taken in the late 60's early 70's. What I need to know is there somewhere that professionally dates photos? Not really sure how to phrase question. We have a photo of a piece of furniture made overseas and the receipt of origin as to date made was tossed not too long ago. Thanks

that can be kind of tough.
you might contact the george eastman house if it is a mini-lab print
they might be gifted in knowing through the type of paper it was printed on
around what year the print was made since it it of a single object.
usually people who "date" photographs do it through material culture
by knowing clothing and hair styles of people, or the "stuff" that is in the image.

good luck !
john

AgX · Aug 31, 2017

There are lot of hints as well at the film (negative or slide) or the print.

However the production of same materials lasted quite long, and the period the material was offered not necessarily was the time the photograph was taken or the print made.

bdial · Aug 31, 2017

If you have other photos known to be from the same roll of film, that would help too, by providing more clues, especially if there are photos of cars for example.
OTH, someone knowledgeable in antique furniture of whatever style it is can likely give you a reasonable date range.

Wallendo · Aug 31, 2017

If you are only interested in the age of the furniture, you may better off seeking out an antique furniture specialist, instead of a photo specialist.

pentaxuser · Aug 31, 2017

BGC said:
I have an old photo taken in the late 60's early 70's.

If you can date it to the late 60s/early 70s so let's say 1967 to 1973 I'd be amazed if there is any way to narrow it down further short of a picture which shows something that could not have been there before almost the end of the period in question such as a car with say, 1973 plates or a shop that you know to have changed ownership and its name in say 1973

pentaxuser

summicron1 · Aug 31, 2017

if it was commercially printed look on the back -- labs often date stamped the prints.

Other than that, there's no reliable way to date it by studying the chemistry of the print except in broad terms, decades. Few processes are unique to a narrow time period.

Helios 1984 · Aug 31, 2017

Welcome to APUG (We are still a group of Analogue Photo User right?? At least on this side of the site)

BGC · Aug 31, 2017

Wallendo said:
If you are only interested in the age of the furniture, you may better off seeking out an antique furniture specialist, instead of a photo specialist.

That was one of the first things we did.
The furniture maker has been out of business for many years. Thank you for
your interest.

AgX · Sep 1, 2017

summicron1 said:
if it was commercially printed look on the back -- labs often date stamped the prints.

The time a print was made not necessarily is close to the time the respective photo was taken.
The film may have been loaded partially exposed in the camera for a long time, or the print may have been a re-order.

Sirius Glass · Sep 1, 2017

I find that clothes can often date a photograph which is why I prefer to photograph landscapes without people.

MattKing · Sep 1, 2017

Sirius Glass said:
I find that clothes can often date a photograph which is why I prefer to photograph landscapes without people.

And of course if you photograph people without clothes, only the tatoos will help you date the photograph.

pentaxuser · Sep 1, 2017

MattKing said:
And of course if you photograph people without clothes, only the tatoos will help you date the photograph.

Not necessarily. For males, centre parting in hair is a give-away for the 1920s

pentaxuser

Sirius Glass · Sep 1, 2017

MattKing said:
And of course if you photograph people without clothes, only the tatoos will help you date the photograph.

AgX · Sep 2, 2017

MattKing said:
And of course if you photograph people without clothes, only the tatoos will help you date the photograph.

Not quite, hairdo, be it the normally visible or the normally covered hair, is a hint too.

Need advice on old photo as to what year taken

BGC

Sirius Glass

Theo Sulphate

David A. Goldfarb

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removed account4

AgX

bdial

Wallendo

pentaxuser

summicron1

Helios 1984

BGC

AgX

Sirius Glass

MattKing

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pentaxuser

Sirius Glass

AgX

Need advice on old photo as to what year taken

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