Since first arriving in Newfoundland I have noticed a trend in the form of a very old type of photo restoration. Several old photos around the home of my in-law's appear to be almost entirely works of fiction. As I look closely through the convex glass, into the oval frame of over a century ago, I see that with the exception of the faces, every other element of the photo has been created or at least enhanced by an artist's brush. In one instance a photo has been created by merging two photos that were taken at different places and at different times, into one completely imagined scene rendered by an artist. From a distance it looks rather convincing. Looking now, I cannot help but see the parallels between this and modern A.I. aided photo editing. Much criticism and scorn has been placed at the feet of modern "post-truth" photoshopping. And although the danger is real, it's clear to me that this is not a new issue. Since the invention of photography itself, photo manipulation has existed and the technologies have evolved in tandem. Seeing is beliving? Never was.
located in St. John’s Newfoundland, we scan photos and restore old photos damaged by time.