HAIG'S PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIOS
The Haig Photographic Studio in Warwick was one of the oldest and longest running photographic studios in Queensland, operating for 106 years from its establishment in 1868 until 1984.
The process of producing the final prints was a far cry from simply hitting 'print' on a 21st century computer.
After the photographs were taken, the photographer produced "proofs" of the negatives to allow the clients to choose those photos that were to be enlarged, coloured, and framed. The proofs were printed in a special frame which was opened and the negative placed against the glass. A special proof paper that produced a red image was placed over the negative in a dark room, and the frame then closed and placed in sunlight. The image of the negative would then appear on the proof paper. This was not a permanent image and had to be viewed and kept in low light.
One such proof image has survived in a dark envelope since the mid-1950s in the care of David Haig. His father, William "Bill" Haig, tool the image of David, his twin sister Margaret and his younger brother Ian.
The plaque on the frame reads "Frame for making photographic proofs, from Haig's Photographic Studio, Warwick, Queensland. Used by William Leonard Haig (1910–1983) and his father, William Henry Haig (1869–1940)".
The contents of Haig's Studio were donated to the Queensland Museum in 1983 on William's death and thousands of negatives (including historic glass plates) were donated to the John Oxley Library.
The proof frame has now been passed to Liam Haig as the first child of Anna and Jack Haig, the first grandson of Ros and Ian Haig, a great grandson of Marion and William Leonard Haig, a great great grandson of Kate and William Henry Haig, and a great great great grandson of John Haig, one of Warwick's original residents.
JOHN HENRY HAIG (from his son, John Haig)
John Henry Haig was born 1 November 1906, the first son of William and Kate Haig. He attended Warwick Central State School and the Technical College until entering the workforce at 12 years of age as an employee of Barnes & Co’s Department Store. From his weekly wage of 12/6d, he was given an allowance of 6d from his mother, the balance contributing to the family’s income.
He gained qualifications as a Ticket Writer and Window Dresser through night classes at the Technical College and then undertook correspondence study to become a Certified Public Accountant, a Member of the Chartered Institute of Secretaries and a qualified Town Clerk. He was also a keen gardener, a member of the Masonic Lodge, and a member of the Citizens’ Military Forces, being awarded a cup for his success in rifle shooting. remained in the family bookcase.)
When WW2 was declared, he enlisted but while in camp at Greenbank developed a respiratory infection. Declared medically unfit to serve overseas, he was posted to the Army Pay Office in Brisbane where he met and married Ruby Schilling in 1943.
A death bed promise to his father in 1940 saw him return to Warwick to care for his mother and join his brother William [Bill] in the family business on his discharge from the army. The two brothers formed a partnership which continued until his death in 1972, after which Bill continued in the business until his death in 1983. On Bill's death, the family donated the contents of the Studio to the Queensland Museum and John Oxley Library where it can be accessed by anyone interested in the visual social history of Warwick from the late 19th century
He gained qualifications as a Ticket Writer and Window Dresser through night classes at the Technical College and then undertook correspondence study to become a Certified Public Accountant, a Member of the Chartered Institute of Secretaries and a qualified Town Clerk. He was also a keen gardener, a member of the Masonic Lodge, and a member of the Citizens’ Military Forces, being awarded a cup for his success in rifle shooting. remained in the family bookcase.)
When WW2 was declared, he enlisted but while in camp at Greenbank developed a respiratory infection. Declared medically unfit to serve overseas, he was posted to the Army Pay Office in Brisbane where he met and married Ruby Schilling in 1943.
A death bed promise to his father in 1940 saw him return to Warwick to care for his mother and join his brother William [Bill] in the family business on his discharge from the army. The two brothers formed a partnership which continued until his death in 1972, after which Bill continued in the business until his death in 1983. On Bill's death, the family donated the contents of the Studio to the Queensland Museum and John Oxley Library where it can be accessed by anyone interested in the visual social history of Warwick from the late 19th century