Memory recaptured in a small community: preserving retouched photographic negatives, discussing visual culture

This paper focus on a private portrait photographic negatives collection belonging to Foto-Carvalho, a photo-graphic studio of Estremoz (north of Alentejo, Portugal). It explores the techniques, materials, and reasons behind retouching on photographic negatives; also, the validity of retouching in the search for the photographic truth. Studying dry plate photographic negatives from lesser-known collections isa special opportunity to take a closer look to a time and a place. This case study on a Portuguese community will bring new and valued insights to portrait photography and contributions to visual culture of the first half of the 20th century.