Using AI to Analyze Old Photos
How to Use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to Analyze Your Old Photos
USING AI TO UNLOCK HISTORY IN YOUR OLD PHOTOS
While wandering through an antique shop in Texas, a sepia-toned photograph caught my eye. Neatly enclosed with a small wooden and glass frame, a family stood proudly in front of a car adorned with small flags, parked before a large Victorian house. The image whispered of stories long forgotten—stories I wanted to rediscover.
I have long been interested in discovering the stories behind the photos. Whenever I visit a Cracker Barrel restaurant, I am always amazed (and saddened) by the number of beautiful old family photos that decorate their walls - all lost to history and to the family they once belonged.
I was intrigued by this photo, because it had some interesting things that might aid figuring out a date and location: the car, the clothing, the background, etc.
I also removed the picture from the frame to look at the back for clues, but there were none.
So, I turned to AI.
I wanted to experiment and compare two different AI models. I chose ChatGPT and Claude. I have a subscription for both.
I uploaded the photo into both models, and I used the same simple prompt:
“Please examine this photo. I’d like to know the approximate date, and the make and model of the car. I’d also like to know the location, if possible, based upon the house, dress, and license plate.”
What unfolded felt like a virtual detective story.
🕵️♂️ ChatGPT’s Analysis: Deep, Visual, and Human
Within seconds, ChatGPT gave me a layered and detailed interpretation—pinpointing the car as a 1915 Ford Model T Touring, estimating the photo to be from late 1915 to early 1916, and even narrowing the location to upstate New York or Massachusetts. It cited the style of Queen Anne homes, fashion clues, and even the license plate number format, matching it to New York's 1915 plate design.
Then something remarkable happened.
ChatGPT offered to “take a closer look.” After enhancing the photo digitally, it revised its conclusion, reinforcing the 1915 timeline and car model with even more precision. It even analyzed the white flags on the car, suggesting a peace parade or suffragette event—an angle I hadn’t considered.
It didn’t just analyze. It observed. It thought.
🤖 Claude AI: A Gentle Effort, but Less Insightful
In comparison, the analysis by Claude AI was less precise. Its response was polite and thoughtful—but much broader. Claude estimated a timeframe of 1915–1925, hesitated on identifying the car (eventually suggesting maybe Buick or Maxwell), and gave no clear state or location.
Even when prompted again, Claude made no real leap forward. There was no “deep dive.” No enhanced image. No confident conclusion.
⚖️ Comparison
I then used a tool to sharpen the photo. This brought out some better detail of the flags on the car. Again I asked both ChatGPT and Claude to re-analyze the photo based upon the improved detail.
Here was the prompt:
"Can you do one more level of analysis on this sharpened photo? It looks like it is possible to read the E A L letters on the flags on the car. Can you relate that to anything in the upstate NY area in 1916-1917?"
Claude gave me the same information as it initially provided. However, ChatGPT surprised me with the following:
Here is the deeper insight based on the sharpened photo and AI-enhanced clues:
🧭 Flags & the “E A L” Markings
You noticed the letters “E A L” on the flag—potentially initials of an organization or location. In upstate NY circa 1916–17, civic groups, social clubs, and early automobile associations often made their own bunting. Two possibilities:
American Flag Association (AFA) in New York City—later renamed United States Flag Association—sent banners and materials across NY State, though they used "A F A" not "EAL"
Eric Allen Lumber (EAL) —while hypothetical, it could be a commercial vanishing company’s marking (not documented); local veteran and civic groups also used similar initials.
Without clearer evidence, the "E A L" initials remain likely tied to a local civic group or early automobile enthusiasts, not a state seal.
📌 Date & Location Likelihood
Timeline refined: With the Model T features and bonnet styles, circa 1915–1917 remains the best match.
Region narrowed: Number plate style (white-on-black digits) and early automotive ownership trends fit Northeastern U.S., especially upstate New York or suburbs near Albany or the Bronx area
The vehicle displays what looks like a small civic banner, which aligns with typical small‑town or club outings for model‑year touring cars in May–July — perhaps tied to Flag Day celebrations (June 14, declared nationally in 1916).
🚗 Car Model Reaffirmed
Examining the radiator shape, engine hood, and suspension confirms this is almost certainly a 1915 Ford Model T Touring — the most iconic and mass-produced open-top car of its era.
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There are a number of AI models to choose from to do this kind of analysis. Here are the Top 5 most popular consumer AI models right now, based on current usage and traffic rankings:
ChatGPT (OpenAI)
Google Gemini (formerly Bard)
Claude (Anthropic)
Microsoft CoPilot
Perplexity AI
You don't need to be afraid of AI. It can be a big help with this kind of challenge. Use whatever model you feel most comfortable with. However, in this case, I think that ChatGPT was a clear winner.
📸 What This Taught Me
This experiment wasn't just fun—it was a demonstration of how AI, especially ChatGPT, can serve as a kind of historical interpreter. It didn’t just identify—it hypothesized, cross-referenced, and even invited me deeper into the story behind the photograph.
I plan to explore this image further using MyHeritage, Ancestry, FamilySearch, and a few other tools—maybe even do a side-by-side comparison chart of how different AI platforms perform. For now, I can say that ChatGPT gave me a lens into the past that felt both intelligent and intuitive.
And thanks to Mylio Photos, I’ve added this photo gem and rich metadata to my digital archive—tagged, sorted, and preserved for future stories.
