Photographer Edward B. Taylor (Self Portrait)
Gifted to the Dayton Metro Library was a good portion of the work of the late Edward B. Taylor, the first Black commercial photographer in the Dayton area. This consisted of over 3,000 negatives in 4x5, 5x7 and 8x10 sizes, and the library wanted to include this collection in their “Dayton Remembers: Preserving the History of the Miami Valley” legacy page:
Browse - Dayton Remembers: Preserving the History of the Miami Valley
Over the months of December 2023 and January 2024, we digitized the negatives in three batches, capturing the mostly black & white negatives in the RAW format, converting them to positive and providing grayscale (and some color) optimization in Adobe Lightroom. Delivery included the RAW images, the Lightroom catalog and the full-size JPG release files. These images are now accessible to the public through the website linked above.
Negative to positive conversion by Advent Digitizing
4x5 and 8x10-inch negatives are a real joy to work with. The detail rivals 8K and 16K digital cameras, and our process preserved the subtle details perfectly. Mr. Taylor documented countless weddings, groups, portraits and events, and the curators at the library have done an amazing job of cataloging everything. The project received an "Exemplary" review from the State Library of Ohio; quoting the report by Jeff Regensburger, LSTA* Coordinator, Library Programs & Development :
This project perfectly supports the State Library of Ohio's LSTA objective of discovering and preserving Ohio's cultural heritage. Additionally, it offers a unique perspective on Dayton area history that might not otherwise be given voice to a wider audience. That, plus the Project Coordinators’ commitment to share this project through professional workshops (ODNFest and BCALA**) make this an especially meaningful and impactful initiative.
Read about the Collection
We at Advent Digitizing are proud to have played an important role in preserving the legacy of Dayton and the Miami Valley.
If you have a collection of negatives, prints, slides, movie films or videotapes, trust Advent Digitizing for fast, high quality personal service.
Contact us about your next project.
*Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) - a grant program funded through the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), an independent federal agency.
**Ohio Digital Network Festival (ODNFest), and Black Caucus American Library Association (BCALA)