Photographer Markus Hofstätter, known for his innovative analog photography projects that have been featured multiple times on photography platforms, recently experimented with manual photo retouching using an authentic 19th-century antique retouching desk. His exploration reveals how photographers manipulated images long before the digital age and computer software became available.
Contrary to popular belief that photo manipulation began with modern software, the practice of tweaking and enhancing photographs has existed almost as long as photography itself. Many renowned early 20th-century photographers, including the legendary Ansel Adams, were celebrated for their exceptional darkroom editing abilities. Historical documentation shows that iconic photographs from agencies like Magnum Photos were extensively edited in darkrooms, demonstrating that photo manipulation was a standard practice decades before digital technology emerged.
"I often hear about the good old days when there was no Photoshop and retouching," Hofstätter explains in his demonstration video. "If somebody tells you that, you may show them this video." He references an insightful article by Jocelyn Sears published on Mental Floss that extensively discusses how photo retouching techniques operated before digital photography was invented in the late 20th century.
Hofstätter's antique retouching desk, dating from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, represents a remarkable piece of photographic equipment designed specifically for editing glass wet plate negatives. The device's excellent condition in 2025 demonstrates the superior craftsmanship and durability of period photography equipment. The desk features multiple sophisticated components, including adjustable tilting arms and precise adjustment mechanisms that allow for detailed manipulation work.
The fundamental operation of this retouching desk involves an ingenious light reflection system. An adjustable mirror positioned beneath the desk reflects light upward through the back of a glass plate negative that sits on the desk's top surface. The photographer then places tracing paper over the glass plate negative, allowing the reflected light to filter through from below, creating an illuminated work surface for detailed retouching work.
For his demonstration, Hofstätter selected a photograph from his acclaimed "Emily Portraits of Hope" series, a powerful collection that showcases his artistic vision and technical expertise. The specific image he chose for retouching contained a developer burn and facial blemishes on the subject that required correction. By using tracing paper as his working surface, Hofstätter avoided making any permanent alterations to the original negative while still achieving the desired improvements for the final print.
Despite appearing highly skilled during the process, this marked Hofstätter's first attempt at photo retouching using this traditional technique. Using a pencil, he carefully drew over the burns and skillfully blended the gray tones with the existing colors of the negative. His technique involved precise hand movements and careful attention to tonal gradations to ensure seamless integration of the corrections.
The printing process itself followed traditional methods, involving photo paper, a salt solution, silver nitrate, and a copy frame for proper exposure. After exposing the treated paper in natural sunlight, Hofstätter proceeded through the complete development process, washing the print, applying toning for enhanced aesthetic appeal, and fixing the image to ensure permanence. The final retouched print demonstrates both the effectiveness of historical techniques and the artistic potential of analog photography methods.
While Hofstätter acknowledges that his technique could benefit from additional practice and refinement, his project provides both an entertaining retouching exercise and a fascinating glimpse into the rich history of photographic manipulation. The demonstration effectively challenges modern assumptions about when photo editing began and highlights the sophisticated methods that photographers employed long before digital technology transformed the field.
