How do I take a photo of an ambrotype

[Faith99]

I found a picture of my great great grandmother. It's in a leather photo frame which closes w/clasp. I want to take a picture of her with my digital camera. I have been unsuccessful. I don't want to remove it from it's frame for fear of destroying it. HELP

[RokcetScientist]

Short of taking it out – or even having (expensive) professionals* do it – I'd say try scanning it on a flatbed scanner, in its leather 'case'. It won't be perfect, but maybe better than what you have now.

*who are so professional that they won't accept any liability yada yada yada...

[Mary Heinz]

Hi, I agree with scanning while in the frame..however...I have seen a photo
in a glass frame...50yrs. old...and probably taken out just a few times...or
only once....the photo came out without any problem ,plus for the client...
we found some family names in the back of the frame on cardboard hand-
written, of family members names...a keepsake and treasure found !

Mary