Assistance with Id'ing Fake Photographs

[Kieffer]

Hi Nicolas, this one is a good one my friend! sorry I couldnt reply yesterday.

I'm a bit lost.
Is this a good fake or a good original picture ?
I think it's a fake if i base myself on your following post ?

[Paul D]

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Unfortunatley Troy Bill is quite correct all the photos are bad ones

[Paul D]

I'm a bit lost.
Is this a good fake or a good original picture ?
I think it's a fake if i base myself on your following post ?

No it's fine !!

[Bill T]

I'm a bit lost.
Is this a good fake or a good original picture ?
I think it's a fake if i base myself on your following post ?

I hope I dont mess anyone up to the point of not wanting to collect photos! The majority out there are period originals, but the fakes usually have that "appeal" to collectors, which is why we see fakes often.

Yup this photo is okay. This one is a tough one after looking at the fakes posted here, as it does have that grayish look and low detail....but the cut/edges are okay and the writing on reverse looks period as well. You will find that the smaller photos usually dont have that exceptional detail, compared to the larger sized portraits/photos. You have to remember that the cameras used werent that great, and these guys werent professional photographers either.
Feel free to keep posting them Keiffer, so you can get the feel for the period originals. I really dont mean to be overwheming you with all the fakes! If youd like to see some period examples, I am more than happy to post some.



PAUL- Awesome to have your help, and thanks for giving second opinions so mistakes can be avoided! haha

[Bill T]

Here is one that I dont think I have mentioned.

The "Re-enactor Fake"
(can be found on all sizes and paper)

These are literally photos of WWII Re-enactors, USUALLY dressed up in period uniform and attire. However, there are normally things that just dont look right with these images. Whether it be something with the uniform (not regulation/etc), or being heavily decorated to the point of trying to ID the person in the image!
These photos are normally "sexy shots", like SS, Panzermanner, or RKT.

take a look at this modern re-enactor on this b/w photo (fake/modern paper too)

[don_kihotis7]

Unbelievable what someone's brain will find to do in order to fool others.

[ToxicGas]

I will have to read through this properly shortly, this will be useful- thanks for posting! For now, would you be able to identify this as authentic or otherwise from this picture? I realise the quality isn't the best, and there's no reverse shown either. This would be my first photo purchase. Cheers,

Mat

[Bill T]

Hi mat,
Im very sorry I had not answered quickly. I promise to keep up on this thread from now on.

This one looks okay to me, but a shot of the reverse is always helpful to be more certain. My feeling is that this particular photo would be a "copy of a copy" from the original negative, judging by the lack of contrast and detail. A cool photo!
I believe once you get it in hand, it will be a very thin photo paper, more flimsy than normal.

[ToxicGas]

Thanks for the response, I didn't go for it in the end, but it's interesting to know. I'd like to eventually get similar photos of masked soldiers.

Mat

[Bill T]

I hear ya Mat. They should be fairly easy to find, as it was a common fun photo to take!




Here is an obvious fake. Somehow it is still in auction, and the price is at $15 so far.
Complete lack of detail, very dark contrast, incorrect cut/edges, etc etc etc