Studio Portrait

[coopmj]

Hi All,

I just got this one and haven't done anything yet but I was wondering what you thought the dark part on his neck was.  I'm assuming it's some kind of facial hair but it just seems odd.  It almost looks like there's a pattern on it but that doesn't seem right either.

Also, the areas at the bottom--maybe his hand is on some kind of balustrade or railing?  It's not clear so my thought is to either ignore it and just bring the sleeves and jacket to the bottom of the photo or create a vignette.  What do you think?

Thanks!

Mary

[Jo Ann Snover]

I think it's hair. There is a disorder that causes hair to grow in places it typically doesn't, so possibly it's a version of that. Look at another old tin type image I found online that's similar



As far as the bottom, I think that's damage not a railing. This is a hand colored monochrome image and the wood-colored things are not that. I'd extend sleeves and jacket down, I think

[coopmj]

Thanks Jo Ann! 

[Mhayes]

Mary, we don't encourage doing a vignette, but on this one I would. The oval is what looks like where the decorative frame left its mark.

When I was younger I had a disorder that cause hair to grow on my legs.  ;)

[Shadow]

Funny Margie!  :funny:

[coopmj]

Great, I'll try both with and without vignette and we can see which looks better.  Just FYI, I did a little googling and discovered that the "neckbeard" was a big deal in Victorian times.  Clearly, my guy here was very fashion forward :)

Here's Henry David Thoreau and his neckbeard:

[Jo Ann Snover]

What a can of worms you've opened regarding neckbeards!! There's a society with a blog about the history and here are some more examples

I still cannot fathom how they thought this looked good - but then mutton chop sideburns were a thing then too. Hairiness was in its heyday...



A guide with names for all sorts of facial hair arrangements :)

[coopmj]

I've certainly learned a lot today. Apparently beards were recommended for health reasons: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/victorian-era-doctors-prescribed-beards-help-keep-men-healthy-180951471/

Of course mutton chops and neckbeards morphed into the mullet so I'm not sure men have learned much in the last 100 years! ;D
 

[Hannie]

[Jo Ann Snover]

:)

[Marydh]

LOL Hannie

[coopmj]

This is great Hannie, a neckbeard AND unibrow!  I've had some good laughs today, guess I better concentrate on fixing the picture now.

[Mhayes]

You nailed it Hannie!  :funny:

Not sure why isn't showing as it need on the cell phone?

[Shadow]

Good one Hannie. Can't see it on the PC but it's visible on the wee screen.
Look forward to your final Mary.  :)

[Hannie]

Not sure why some can't see the image, I edited my post and Sam the Eagle should visible now.