Black and white photos

Two photographs showing the studio portraits of two Keralaite couples. Photography in India became extremely popular from the 1850s onwards. Photography was seen by the East India Company as a tool for reliable and accurate documentation and led to the creation of professional photographers who recorded official photos. Indians gradually mastered the craft and photography studios proliferated in all the major cities. Photography replaced portrait painting as the medium of choice, especially for royal and aristocratic families. There was a huge demand for portraits and family pictures from all who could afford them, as photographs were more easily obtained than painted portraits or miniatures, and had the added advantage of accuracy and longevity.

See related items

Black and white photo of Mr Choo Foo Wah and his employees dressed in suits tailored by Fatman Singapore Gents’ Wear Company at 241 Jalan Besar

2 black-and-white photos belonging to Mr Swaminathan Stephens Rahjan in National Service

Black and white photograph of Mr Choo Foo Wah, one of the sponsors at Singapore Western Suit Week, with singer Sakura Teng seated next to him

Black and white photograph of Mr Choo Foo Wah, his wife and employees of Fatman Singapore Gents’ Wear Company at 241 Jalan Besar