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A book from 1909 reveals the secrets of the flawless look of old photos.

Nowadays, almost everyone is obsessed with having a flawless look. Even the advertisements with the influencers on social media have given us an idea, that which one is considered beautiful and which one is not. In this situation, some people spend millions of dollars to keep up their bodies sexier.

Image altering can also use to have a flawless look. If you disagree with your natural beauty to post on social media, go and edit it. But remember accepting your natural beauty is the best thing ever! Behind the “perfect” pictures we see on social media has a huge project of image altering. The correct filter and good editing skills can make someone a top model on Instagram.

By the way, have you ever wondered how your grandparents had that much beauty in their pictures? Even in the XIXth century, most pictures have good quality and perfect looks in their pictures.

This recently resurfaced instructional photography book from 1909 shows how retouching was already a thing before Instagram

American school of art and photography
American school of art and photography

It is not a secret anymore. Thanks to who dug up this book named “Complete self-instructing library of practical photography” now we know how the technology was in the era.

American school of art and photography

This book was first published, in 1868 and it has a huge collection of instructions for black and white photography and this one is a part of a 10-volume collection.
It includes how to shoot, retouch, and the methods of eliminating imperfections of the subject of the photographs.

American school of art and photography

Also, the book says that, at the early ages, only the photography prints made from the negatives are hand over to the customers. They have not given the photographic negatives to them. And it explains that the prints were made directly from the negatives without altering them. By the time it has improved the quality and the perfectness of the photographs.

American school of art and photography

And here are some examples made before and after retouching shared in the book

American school of art and photography
American school of art and photography

For the retouching, they used many tools. Easel, magnifying glass, lead holder, lead, etching knives, spotting brush, retouching fluid, negative varnish, and etching paste are those.

Pencils were used to erase imperfections and blend highlights, shadows, and halftones, while etching knives reduced highlights and removed the unwanted areas in the photo.

American school of art and photography
American school of art and photography

Even they had guides to “reduce the size of stout subjects”! You are no longer a fat lady!

American school of art and photography

 It seems like for a long time, they hated to have freckles!

American school of art and photography

Even they were able to straighten crossed eyes!

American school of art and photography

Opening closed eyes? No problem! It says “by the use of knife and pencil, you etch and model, and with these two instruments you can make any alteration you desire on the negative.”

American school of art and photography

The guide of “How to reduce thick necks?”

American school of art and photography

Etch a single figure from a group. How is it look natural!

American school of art and photography

How to add a ‘drapery’ to an outfit?

American school of art and photography

They made statues from Life! Are we trapped to these tricks!

American school of art and photography

And this is what people commented

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