About This Image

Hand-tinted California landscape photo enlargement circa 1920s. A extremely large, hand-tinted enlarged California desert landscape photograph, set in a heavy contemporary painted plaster frame, similar to ones used by the Curtis brothers (Edward S. and Asahel). Opening on frame verso displays artist's stamp: "Garrison / Palms Cal."

J. M. Garrison (1881–1964) was a prominent early 20th-century California photographer best known for his hand-tinted photo enlargements that captured the romanticized essence of the American West.

Born in Minnesota, Garrison moved to Riverside County, California, by 1900. He received formal training at the California College of Photography in Palo Alto.

By 1910, he established a photography studio in Los Angeles, which he successfully operated for over three decades until the 1940s. Specialization in Hand-Tinting: Garrison specialized in black-and-white photo enlargements that were meticulously hand-colored with oils or dyes. He often worked with assistants like Sadie Freeman, who helped apply these tints to achieve a soft-focus, painterly effect.

His images included iconic views of San Juan Capistrano and other historic sites and California missions. His desert landscapes involved extensive work documenting the Palm Springs area and Joshua Tree; while his coastal scenes provided atmospheric views of the California coastline.

His work was widely popular with tourists and collectors, leading to partnerships with major entities like the Yosemite & Curry Co. and the Cambridge Cupboard of Carmel.

Today, his pieces are frequently sought after at auction for their historical value and the specific "California Style" of presentation, often featuring wide, gilded wood frames.

His work was included in “Hand-Colored Photographs” at the Dayton Art Institute. This exhibition featured portrait, landscape, still life and advertising photographs across a variety of processes, including tinting.

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