THE search is on for information about Victorian photographers who practised their art in Launceston.

Annie Crowells-Hodge is seeking help in unearthing memories, knowledge or photographs of those who turned camera-craft into a business and recorded personalities, happenings and buildings in the town.

She would like to see any of the photographs taken in either of two studios which she knows about — Henry Hayman's, which later became the Orange Tea Rooms and is now Cornucopia — and a studio which was opposite St Mary's Church and is now the Bookshop.

She told the 'Post': "Any information anyone about any photographic studios that were in Launceston during the Victorian era would be much appreciated."

Anyone who can help may contact her by e-mail at: [email protected]">[email protected]

The 'old-fashioned' look in the photograph of Annie above was achieved using a 'paper negative process' in which a piece of light sensitive paper is placed into a dark slide and exposed to light.