Capture & Edit a ‘Silvered’ Vintage Print

Silvering, also known as bronze mirroring,

What Is 'Silvering' In Photographic Paper Prints?

Silvering, also known as "bronze mirroring," is a common deterioration phenomenon in black and white gelatin silver prints, typically affecting prints over 50 years old. It appears as a metallic sheen or discoloration, usually on darker areas of the image, and becomes visible at certain angles under raking light, as shown in the image above. This phenomenon occurs due to the degradation of the silver particles in the emulsion layer of the print, often exacerbated by improper storage conditions. To capture and edit a "silvered" vintage print, careful handling and digital restoration techniques are essential for preserving the original character while minimizing the visible effects of silvering.

 How to Capture a 'Silvered' Print

To capture a silvered print, set up your mirrorless camera on a stable tripod or copy stand and ensure proper lighting conditions on your copy stand. There should be no other light in your room. These measures will help to eliminate any reflections or glare that could interfere with the capture process. Adjust the camera settings to achieve the desired exposure, and use a remote shutter release or tethering to avoid any camera shake during the shot.

Place the vintage print on a clean, flat surface. To avoid potential damage, handle the print with gloves. The light should be coming from the left and right sides at a 45-degree angle. This lighting arrangement will help to create a balanced illumination that highlights the details of the print without casting harsh shadows. Once everything is set up, take a few test shots to ensure the image captures the true color and texture of the vintage prints.

Adjust the camera settings to capture the highest quality image possible. Ensure that all areas receive equal lighting by using an incident handheld light meter. Use a low ISO setting to minimize digital noise, choose an appropriate aperture and shutter speed, and seriously consider shooting in RAW format for better post-processing flexibility. Set the camera to manual focus mode and carefully focus on the print to ensure sharpness. Use the 'peaking' and the magnifying glass in live view mode to help with precise focusing. There remains just one final step, as covered in the discussion below. 

To Begin, Screw a Circular Filter Onto Your Lens

Rotate the filter ring while observing the image through the viewfinder; continue rotating the filter to a specific angle to see the metallic reflections diminish. Lock the filter at that angle for maximum effect. These changes will enhance the overall quality of your images by reducing glare and improving color saturation. For excessively silvered prints, you should also use polarizing sheets over your diffused LED lights; this process was covered in detail on my digitizing large prints and artworks page on this site. Once you are satisfied with the adjustments, you can proceed to compose your shot and capture stunning photographs. 

Capture Multiple Images

Capture multiple images, both with and without lenses and lighting polarizations. This technique will give you greater flexibility during the editing process, allowing you to select the best image or even blend several for a more dynamic final photograph. Always monitor the changing lighting conditions, as they can significantly impact your composition and focus. Focus on the details of your subject, ensuring that the vital elements are well lit and sharp.

Consider capturing two sets of images; one set should include variations in lens and lighting polarization, and the other set should not. This process allows for later comparison and blending in Photoshop or ACDSee Ultimate. Review the captured images on the camera's LCD screen to ensure that you have captured the desired details and minimized reflections. If any adjustments are necessary, please take the time to reshoot until you are satisfied with the results. Once you have a selection of images, you can begin the editing process, experimenting with different blends and effects to enhance the final composition.

Editing in Photoshop

Open the files for editing in Photoshop and import both sets of images (those with and without the polarization) into Photoshop.

Align and stack

• Use the "Auto-Align Layers" feature to precisely align and stack the images from both sets. Once aligned, you can adjust the opacity of each layer to compare the effects of polarization and select the best elements in the image. This process will allow you to create a final composition that effectively showcases the desired aesthetic while maintaining clarity and detail.

• Stack the corresponding images from each set directly on top of one another. Once aligned, you can use the "Auto-Blend Layers" function to seamlessly merge the images, enhancing the overall clarity and detail. This procedure will allow you to compare the effects of polarization to unfiltered images, highlighting the differences in reflection and color saturation.

Blending Mode

• Select the image with the polarizing filter in the Layers panel.

• Change the blending mode to "Screen"; this mode overlays the brighter pixels from the polarization image, effectively reducing the silver while preserving the details from the unfiltered image.

• You can further refine contrast and brightness by using levels or curve adjustment layers.

• The healing brush tool can fix any minor dust spots or imperfections.

• Apply a moderate amount of sharpening to enhance image clarity.

• Save the edited image as a high-resolution JPEG or TIFF file.

Editing in ACDSee Ultimate

• Open the files for editing in ACDSee Ultimate and use the "Layers > Auto Stack" feature to automatically align and stack the corresponding images from each set. Once the images are stacked, you can further refine them by adjusting the opacity of each layer to achieve the desired look. Additionally, consider using the masking tools to selectively enhance specific areas of the image for a more polished final result.

• Select an image that has polarization applied. In the Layers panel, choose "Blend Mode" from the drop-down menu and experiment with different options such as "Multiply" or "Screen" to see how they affect the overall composition. This process can significantly enhance the visual impact of your images, allowing for a more dynamic and engaging final piece.

• Use the "Levels" or "Curves" tools found in the "Adjustments" tab to refine contrast and brightness. This adjustment will help you achieve a more balanced and striking image. Once you're satisfied with the contrast and brightness, consider adding a subtle color grading to further enhance the mood and atmosphere of your composition.

• The "Blemish Remover" tool can fix minor dust spots and imperfections. This will ensure your image appears polished and professional.

• Apply moderate sharpening by using the "Sharpen" tool located in the "Adjustments" tab.

• Click "File > Save As" and select a high-resolution JPEG or TIFF format for your final image.

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Additional Tips

• Consider using professional photo restoration services for photographs that are heavily silvered or damaged.

• Please ensure you back up your original files before beginning any editing.

Remember: even with careful techniques, some silvering might still be visible in the final image; this silvering is part of the print's history and adds a unique character.

A detailed guide should help you use Photoshop and ACDSee Ultimate's capabilities. Choose the software that feels most comfortable for you and enjoy preserving your precious memories!

Next: Digitizing Large Artworks