Ethnographic Photography in Scotland

1

Early History of
Photography

Page 1

Further Notes

2

Types of Camera and  Photo

Page 2

Further Notes

3

Photographic
Societies

Page 3

Further Notes

4

Professional
Photographers

Page 4

Further Notes

5

Collections of Photos and Books

Page 5

Further Notes

Other talks:    Ethnographic Postcards in Scotland

Other talks:    History of Photography

 

Edinburgh University, School of Literature, Language and Cultures, Celtic and Scottish Studies

2nd Year Lecture:  February 22, 2010  -  Ethnographic Photography

 

Ethnographic Photography  -  Page 4  -  Further Notes

 

Ethnographic Photography in Scotland

Professional

Photographers

 

Further Notes

The Cost of Photography

 

1.

'Old Money and New Money'

1971

In 1971, Britain converted to decimal currency  £ p (pounds, new pence)

Previously, the currency had been  £ s d  (pounds, shillings, pence).

£ s d is the currency quoted throughout the tables on this page.

Conversion Rates

Here are decimal equivalents of the 'old money':

     6d. (sixpence) = £0.025

1s. 0d.   or   1/-   (a shilling)  =  £0.05 or 5p

2s. 6d    or   2/6  (half a crown) = £0.125 or 12.5p

£1  1s. 0d.   or £1 1/-   (one guinea) = £1.05  or £1 and 5

2.

Inflation  -  Conversion Table

Equivalent Values Today -  Feb 2007

 of some of the prices charged in earlier years:

Year

Sixpence

6d

Shilling

1s 0d

Pound

£1

1840

£1.84

£3.67

£73

1850

£2.43

£4.86

£97

1860

£2.18

£4.35

£87

1870

£2.15

£4.29

£86

1880

£1.98

£3.96

£79

1890

£2.32

£4.63

£93

1900

£2.20

£4.41

£88

1910

£2.12

£4.24

£85

1920

£0.79

£1.58

£32

1930

£1.16

£2.32

£46

1940

99p

£1.98

£40

1950

62p

£1.24

£25

1960

42p

85p

£17

1970

28p

55p

£11

1980

8p

15p

£3.05

1990

4p

8p

£1.58

2000

3p

6p

£1.24

Sources used to compile the table above:  Safaira's Web site (1840-2003) + UK RPI (2003-2007)

 

3.

Studio Portraits  -  From 1849

Some of the early press adverts for photographic studios in Edinburgh give the prices charged for studio portraits..   Here are a few  examples.

1849

James Howie

First size

 1s. 6d

Equivalent to over £7  today.

See table above.

Second size

 2s. 6d

Third size

 4s. 0d

Fourth size

 7s. 6d

Sotires Georgiades

Smallest size

 5s 6d

middle size

8s 6d

largest size

15s. 6d

Family Groups

higher prices

1854

James Howie

First size

 3s. 6d

Second size

 6s 0d

Third size

10s 0d

1855

James Howie

Prices  from ...

 1s 0d

Handsome Portrait in Morocco Case

 3s 6d

John Moffat

Prices  from ...

2s. 6d

1856

Truefitt Brothers

Prices  from ....

2s. 6d

1857

G & D Hay

Prices  from ...

2s. 6d

1857

J G Tunny

Calotype portraits of civic dignitaries

4s. 6d

Calotype views

5s. 6d

1867

Tunny & Asher

Enamel Cartes-de-Visite

6s. 0d / dozen

The lately fashionable Cabinet Portraits

4s. 0d each

 

Cartes de Visite

Tollcross

Up to 1855, most early Edinburgh studios were based in Princes Street.

However, from 1860 onwards, they had spread out across Central Edinburgh.

Alex Ayton set up his studio at North Bruntsfield Place, Bruntsfield Links, near Tollcross.

Alex Ayton

Studios: From 1875

  • Here are the fronts and backs of two cartes de visite, possibly from around the 1880s.  They are on heavier card than early cartes de visite, and have  more elaborate backs.  The protective tissue paper is still attached to the second photo, which is unusual.

Alex Ayton jun  -  Carte de Visite  -  No 2  -  front  ©      Alex Ayton jun  -  Carte de Visite  -  No 2  -  back  ©

 

Alex Ayton jun  -  Carte de Visite  -  No 5  -  front  ©      Alex Ayton jun  -  Carte de Visite  -  No 5  -   back  ©

©  Copyright: For permission to reproduce any of the images above, please contact peter.stubbs@edinphoto.org.uk

Portobello

Philip E Low

Portobello

  • Many studios were established in Portobello in the late 19th century and early 20th century, catering  for the holiday visitors.  Here is a cabinet print from one of these studios.

Cabinet Print  -  donkey, ladies and children  -  Photographer: Philip E Low

©  Copyright: For permission to reproduce, please contact peter.stubbs@edinphoto.org.uk

William Kyles

Portobello

Carte de visite  -  Kyles  -  34 Bath Street  -  Group  ©    The back of a carte de visite  -  Kyles  -  34 Bath Street  -  Group 

Carte de visite  -  Kyles  -  No address given  -  Man with top hat  ©      The back of a carte de visite  -  Kyles  -  No address given  -  Man with top hat  ©

Carte de visite  -  Kyles  -  36 Regent Street  -  Lady, book and pillar ©      The back of a carte de visite  -  Kyles  -  36 Regent Street  -  Lady, book and pillar ©

Carte de visite  -  Kyles  -  36 Regent Street  -  Lady and gate  ©      The back of a carte de visite  -  Kyles  -  36 Regent Street  -  Lady and gate  ©

©  Copyright: For permission to reproduce any of the images above, please contact peter.stubbs@edinphoto.org.uk

 

___________________________________

A A Inglis

Rock House

1881 - 1916

  • Here are more photos from the studio at Rock House.  These are by A A Inglis, taken about fifty years after Hill & Adamson's calotypes.

Argyle & Sutherland Highlanders on the Castle Esplanade

Edinburgh Castle and Esplanade - Photo by Alex A Inglis

©  Copyright: For permission to reproduce, please contact peter.stubbs@edinphoto.org.uk

Holyrood Chapel

Holyrood Chapel  -  Photo by Alex A Inglis

©  Copyright: For permission to reproduce, please contact peter.stubbs@edinphoto.org.uk

Waverley Bridge

after Cockburn Street was built

View of Edinburgh Old Town from the Scott Monument  -  Photo by Alex A Inglis

©  Copyright: For permission to reproduce, please contact peter.stubbs@edinphoto.org.uk

St Giles

St Giles Cathedral in the High Street, Edinburgh  -  Photo by Alex A Inglis

©  Copyright: For permission to reproduce, please contact peter.stubbs@edinphoto.org.uk

St Giles   -  Interior

St Mary's Cathedral [interior]  -  Photo by ALex A Inglis

©  Copyright: For permission to reproduce, please contact peter.stubbs@edinphoto.org.uk

 

 

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End of Page 1

 

Ethnographic Photography in Scotland

1

Early History of
Photography

Page 1

Further Notes

2

Types of Camera and  Photo

Page 2

Further Notes

3

Photographic
Societies

Page 3

Further Notes

4

Professional
Photographers

Page 4

Further Notes

5

Collections of Photos and Books

Page 5

Further Notes

Other talks:    Ethnographic Postcards in Scotland

Other talks:    History of Photography

 

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