Image Assignment
More on Human Classification Systems
At the end of the 19th century, photography was to identify and classify criminals. Traits such as ear size, nose size were seen, measured and recorded in Speaking Portraits, what we might call elaborate mugshots today.
Below are images of policemen being trained in criminal identification, from the lab of Alphonse Bertillon, the inventor of the Speaking Portrait.
1. Crop and Re-size
Before
After
"Class on description at the Service de l'identite judiciaire in Paris, instituted by Bertillon in 1895." Artstor, Image ID: ARTSTOR_103_41822001203502.
I chose to crop this photo to emphasize the lesson at hand, nose profiling.
2. Photo Restoration
Before
Speaking Portrait identification card of its create, Alphone Bretillon, c. 1891. Source: ARTSTOR, Image ID:_103_41822001203312
After
I didn' like this, and couldn't figure out how to make it better. Following the lead of Errol Morris, I found a clearner version of similar image. Lo and behold, here's Francis Galton, cousin of Darwin, and founder of the Eugenics movement:
"A Bertillon record for Francis Galton, from a visit to Bertillon's laboratory in 1893." Source: Wikipedia, Francis Galton's Speaking Portrait Accessed March 20, 2010.
I wanted to replicate the whiteness and luminosity, while keeping the text legible. But I couldn't, so I cheated. I cut out Galton's head, and stuck Bertillon in his place, thus preserving the text, but not creating a great photo restoration.
3. Vignette of Head Measuring Device
Designed by A. J. Tremearne, as described in "A New Head Measure," Man 15(1914):87-88.
I chose this photo to emphasize the measuring machine and man, getting rid of any background distraction.
More coming...
4. Matted Engraving
5. Photo Hand Colored