We never change, do we? | The Art of Victorian "Photoshop" #history #victorian #photos

Long before the era of Photoshop and mobile editing apps, photographers in the 19th and early 20th centuries were already experts in the art of image retouching. Victorian-era photographers, such as those using the albumen process, would manually enhance negatives by drawing on the emulsion side of glass plates to make their subjects look more appealing. Using tools like fine pencils and etching knives, they could soften imperfections, add highlights, and even slim down features like cheeks or necks. The intention was to create consistently flattering prints, though the touched-up negatives themselves often appeared rough and exaggerated. This practice was not only common but also considered an essential part of portrait photography, ensuring each print was more idealized than real.

A 1909 volume of The Complete Self-Instructing Library of Practical Photography shows how advanced these early retouching techniques were. Photographers were taught to remove blemishes, reshape facial features, add or remove clothing elements, and even open closed eyes or straighten crossed ones. Tools such as magnifying glasses, retouching fluid, varnishes, and etching paste were standard, with detailed instructions on achieving pleasing results without overdoing edits and ruining the image. The book's resurfacing online highlights how beauty standards and the desire to appear flawless are nothing new — prompting modern audiences to reflect on how even "vintage" portraits were curated to meet aesthetic ideals, long before digital manipulation made it easy.