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It is uncertain when this picture was taken, or indeed the occasion - however it has been suggested that it was about 1935, and that it may well have been a day at the races somewhere. What IS known is that it was a day out by the Penhow Quarry workforce, and many of the people are recogniseable as being from the Caerwent community, notably Percy Gardiner and Albert 'Bunny' Davies. These two are also the subject of the photograph on the left below (The one on the right is a digitally enhanced version). It would have been taken by an 'instant' photographer using the old "Ferrotype" process, popularly known as "Tintypes". First invented in the 1850s, this process had died out commercially by the 1880s, but lived on at places such as seaside resorts, race meetings and similar events. The novelty of having your picture taken and then the result being immediately available has always had an appeal - as the Polaroid company still proves right up until the present day!. The photographs were taken using a large wood and brass camera, and the image was focussed on to a small piece of tin measuring about 2 inches (50mm) by 2½ inches (60mm) which had been lacquered with light sensitive chemicals. This was then immediately immersed in the developing and fixing chemicals in a makeshift 'darkroom' - often no more than a large black bag - washed in a bucket of water and then waved around a bit until it was dry(ish)! The resulting rather dark image was slipped into a card folder as seen here and presented to the customer. Although appearing as a positive image, the photograph was in fact 'reversed', as it would appear in a a negative. 'Bunny' Davies is standing in front of the group in line with the door of the coach in the group photograph, and that's him on the right in the Tintype. Compare the directions of the pattern of his tie! |  |
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