Below is a copy of the Unedited Photo of Joseph Smith, however I did do some editing for this copy such as upping the contrast, sharpening the details, a slight trim on the top to fit a more standard size print frame and of course the addition of lettering.
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| Joseph Smith Junior copied from his daguerreotype. |
It was a very interesting process working in Photoshop, I found so many more hidden details in the unedited photograph. Each time I would approach a new section of the picture, I would find something new I hadn't seen before. It was quite exciting even though it was a very tedious and complex process reworking the colorized image. I didn't just want the standard black and white photo with flesh tone applied. I felt like I had to rely on my artistic skills to bring him to life the best I could, not with oil paint but with pixels. While the 2nd generation photo of Joseph has more details than any other image, unfortunately, certain particulars are only partially visible and others completely lost because of the daguerreotype reflection and paper stippling. For instance, only the top of his watch fob is visible but the direction of the chain quickly disappears.
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| Note the orange highlighted beginning of what appears to be a watch fob. |
What I thought was a filigree "S"cravat pin in gold, actually appears to be an embroidered "S" button embellishment. Once I found the small ribbon edge around the octagon medallion, I suddenly could see the ruffled edges of what appeared to be lace on his cravat.
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Next, what I thought was a button on his vest, was not just a button but possibly a military insignia with a star above it. I wondered if there was possible a ribbon attached to it, but without certainty I did not add it. I searched the internet for pictures of his Lieutenant General insignia but could only find tiny artist renditions of it. They did appear similar but nothing exact. If anyone knows anything more about this metal, please let me know.
Last, was the discovery of what appears to be an embroidered ribbon, perhaps a black mourning ribbon. I wondered if it was just a pattern in the fabric that was on the lapel of the jacket but the light shadow under the bow makes me believe it is sitting on top of the fabric but stitched in . The ornamental edging of the button hole appears to be tied into the design. Again, if anyone knows more about Joseph's clothing and can identify anything I have posted, please let me know @ josephsmithjr2009@hotmail.com.
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P.S. I just have to add one more thing. Again, none of these tiny, tiny details show up in any of the artwork (i.e. RLDS painting) of Joseph. The Library of Congress edited albumen print of Joseph does show a faint indication of a fob and button. Proof these two images are tied together. Leave it to a micro-scanner and digital files that can have the contrast/lighting worked with to bring out these hidden treasures.
Photo #5 (which you suggest is a military insignia) actually looks to me like it might be a Masonic compass-and-square.
ReplyDeletePhoto #5 (which you suggest is a military insignia) actually looks to me like it might be a Masonic compass-and-square.
ReplyDeleteHe looks like me. Place the death mask on my face but here there is more. He looks like King Solomon, Apostle Matthew, Ares God of war and ArchAngel Michael as this is who we are. We live many lives and these are some examples of the past lives we have lived.
ReplyDeleteThe military insignia might be the shell and flame insignia officially adopted in 1932. It is sometimes referred as an ordnance bomb. I appreciate all the work and research you have put into this.
ReplyDeleteThere were probably more than one daguerreotype taken of Joseph Smith. Joseph F. Smith noted that a fire destroyed daguerreotypes of his father and uncle while on his mission to Hawaii.
In regards to you 2020 remarks of sunlight the portraits of Joseph and Emma might support your observation. If the paintings were made using a daguerreotype the background appears to show trees and a river on the left and a wall on the right. It seems strange that a painter would do this and not make the background uniform. Also if you look at the painting of Joseph it looks me that the painter included a shadow on the wall.
Also, have you noticed something odd about the left shoulder of the photo? As you may have noticed it was common to paint jewelry with gold on daguerreotypes. When they are photographed this appears very distinctly, as you can see in places on your photo. To me, the left shoulder may have an officers fringe epaulette. This is clearly not on the painting.
Rather than doing verbal jujitsu saying no photo of Joseph Smith exists researchers and historians ought to use Occam's Razor. The simplest explanation is most often the correct one. Joseph Smith had his likeness taken more than once. Joseph Smith III wanted his father's image preserved so he had copies made of a daguerreotype in his possession. The daguerreotype was likely damaged over time from, cleaning, oxidation, removal from its protective case, and handling, maybe even when photos were made of it with most likely wet plate photography.
Thank you for the work you have put into this. I would love it if you put this in an e-book.