How would I peel off the paper backing layers on a photograph without damaging the photo?

Answer 1

I think you really can't if the photo is fairly current because of the photo paper that's used nowadays.
It's possible that you could begin sanding the back with fine grain sandpaper to take off some of the thickness, watching carefully to see when you might be reaching the image.

Otherwise, you can make a photocopy onto regular paper or onto a thinner photo paper. You can usually play around with the color and darkness settings to get the best rendition whether you use a color copier on your own or have the desk (at Kinko's, e.g.) do it for you.

You could also scan the photo, then print it out onto a thinner photo paper than it's on now.

Other possibities would be to make a "transfer" from the image onto a "water slide" decal, then use that instead. There are quite a few ways to do those, but if you're interested in more info, check out this page:
http://glassattic.com/polymer/transfers.htm
(especially the categories on "Transfer Papers" and also "Non-Liquid Clay Mediums" under Transfer Liquids)

HTH,

Diane B.

Answer 2

You can not. I worked in retail camera/lab for years. The damage is done. One of my customers was "well to do". I told him there was no way. He kept after me every time I saw him. I finally suggested the local art museum. I figured they deal with things such as this all the time. He never told me if he contacted them or not, even after I asked him a couple of times. I figured they either didn't do it or, the price to do it was outrageous.

Go get a good photo copy of it if the front of it is in good condition. If not, restoration can be done, but the picture loses some quality. A copy negative is made of the damaged pic. Then a pic of that negative. The picture is restored by various techniques. Hope this helps.

Answer 3

If you don't want to damage a photo, then don't do anything to it! Make a copy and do whatever you want to that.

Answer 4

I doubt that there is a practical way to do so. I'd simply copy it.