A long school photograph

bobbarber · #1 (**permalink**) 27-01-2010, 07:30 AM

Please forgive me if I am on the wrong forum. I have a very long school photograph taken in Sept 1949 in black and white. There are over 600 pupils in the pic and everyone is clearly identifiable.
The dimensions of the pic are, length 35.5 inches, depth 5.5 inches.
I can still remember the clicking noise as the camera panned round. What I would like to know is it possible to have a copy made as it`s the only one I have. The photo was taken in London, but I now live in the Republic of Ireland. Also any advice would be welcome on how I could digitally archive it. Thanking you in advance...Bob

nightshade · #2 (**permalink**) 27-01-2010, 09:45 AM

Initially I would google for your answer, there are many tutorials available depending on the software editing package you own.

artdemole · #3 (**permalink**) 27-01-2010, 09:46 AM

What a beaut! I would try to scan in sections on an all in one or try nearest office supplier who has large copy machine.

Paul mabbott · #4 (**permalink**) 27-01-2010, 10:04 AM

I've got some of those - invariably with a picture of one boy on both ends of the picture ....

I'm sure that a commercial photographer could get it copied.

For digitising it rather depends on the nature of your camera. Many cameras now have a facility for taking sequences - usually panoramic views - and then sticking them together on the computer: check through your camera instructions.

Good luck!

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobbarber

Please forgive me if I am on the wrong forum. I have a very long school photograph taken in Sept 1949 in black and white. There are over 600 pupils in the pic and everyone is clearly identifiable.
The dimensions of the pic are, length 35.5 inches, depth 5.5 inches.
I can still remember the clicking noise as the camera panned round. What I would like to know is it possible to have a copy made as it`s the only one I have. The photo was taken in London, but I now live in the Republic of Ireland. Also any advice would be welcome on how I could digitally archive it. Thanking you in advance...Bob

Lancashire Lad · #5 (**permalink**) 27-01-2010, 04:10 PM

The easiest way would be via a commercial photographer as advised. (Could be quite expensive

)

To digitally archive the photo, high resolution sestional scanning, followed by "stitching" the sections together with image editing software would undoubtedly give the best results. The technique is not too difficult, but it will definitely require a good working knowledge of the chosen editing software.

Alternatively, a lesser quality, (but still reasonable) digital copy could possibly be made by photographing the entire image at the best resolution and closest focus, that your digital camera can achieve.

This could be very straightforward, or could be frought with difficulty (for example if the original image has been rolled, and will not stay completely flat). The resulting digital image could, if required, then be resized, have its resolution increased, and be digitally enhanced to remove any creases or other blemishes. (Again would require good working knowledge of chosen editing software).

(Alternatively, you may also be able to get a commercial photographer to supply you with a digital copy).

In short, it can be done - but without a suitable digital camera/scanner and image editing software, a commercial photographer might be the best way to go.

Regards,
Mike.

loripo · #6 (**permalink**) 27-01-2010, 08:19 PM

I have one of these too. About the same size. Do you need to have the whole length of the original in one image? You could photograph it in sections if you could keep it flat enough, or scan as I've just tried. I did it at 600DPI, grayscale and it's not too bad, certainly good enough to recognise classmates. With the scanner you can press the lid down to keep sections flat. If you wanted it on display you could slightly overlap each section and have a triptych

Hobjob · #7 (**permalink**) 28-01-2010, 06:37 AM

Take half a dozen photos of it and treat it like a panorama - you will be surprised at the results!

loripo · #8 (**permalink**) 28-01-2010, 08:34 AM

Thereyou go then, some lateral thinking

RichBrew · #9 (**permalink**) 30-01-2010, 05:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lancashire Lad

The easiest way would be via a commercial photographer as advised. (Could be quite expensive

)

I'd be surprised if a commercial photographer worth his or her salt would undertake this work, as it would be an infringement of copyright.
Ownership of copyright currently exists for the lifetime of the author, plus 70 years.
Even if the school photographer died the year it was taken, there would still be 9 years to run before it fell into the public domain.

RichBrew

acherontia · #10 (**permalink**) 30-01-2010, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hobjob

Take half a dozen photos of it and treat it like a panorama - you will be surprised at the results!

Good advice! Lots of automated panorama software about too.

Rich Brew is correct about the copyright. Many years ago I wanted a bog standard photocopy of a bought newspaper photograph of my son and was refused by the copier owner.

Acher

PS - I'm not looking to make any copies of my school panorama - one's enough LOL