10/29/97

Diane B. Clifton, 844-4730 (dianec@uce.auburn.edu)

AU SPONSORS CLASS ON HAND TINTING BLACK-AND-WHITE PHOTOS

AUBURN -- Auburn University's Outreach Program Office is sponsoring a one- day class on Nov. 8 on hand tinting black-and-white photographs, which offers participants an opportunity to save money on beautifying and preserving family treasures.

When looking through old photographs of relatives, many families must trust their memories or imagination to determine the color of grandmotherŐs hair or the clothes she wore, says Joan Wyers Cole, photographic hand-tinting specialist.

Except when the viewer is lucky enough to come across an old black- and-white photo that was tinted with oil paints.

"Prior to color film, this was the only way we had to put color on photographs," says Cole.

Cole has been tinting for 16 years and will instruct the day-long class, which will begin at 9 a.m. in Biggin Hall on the AU Campus.

Since color film came on the scene, black-and-white photographs have become somewhat obsolete for the average photographer. And hand tinting was almost a lost art -- almost, but not quite, says Cole

"Recently, in the last 10 years, it has become very popular," she said, adding that the process is "seeing a resurgence."

Unlike color prints, a black-and-white photo tinted with oil paints "will last 100 years," says Cole, who has been hand tinting in her Birmingham photographic business for the past 10 years.

While learning to hand tint photos for their beauty and longevity, participants could possibly be on their way to beginning a new career.

"Once they learn to tint, they start doing this as a business," says Cole. "Everybody in the Birmingham area begs to do it."

Cole guarantees one-on-one instruction during the class.

"When they leave the class, they will know how to hand tint," she promises.

The cost of the one-day class is $60, and participation is limited to 12 people. Participants are asked to bring a brown-bag lunch and two black-and-white photographs. Information about additional required supplies is available by calling AUŐs Outreach Program Office at 844-5100.

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