the photo I had had taken of

It is awkward, I agree, and the first 'had' should really be omitted to save the confusion because past perfect is not really required there anyway. However, the writer felt he needed to use the past perfect of the coercive verb phrase 'to have (something) done (by someone)'.

Hi Mister Micawber,

Thanks for helping.

I understand the structure: I had the photo taken (by someone), but not so much when it's followed by 'of'.

Would the sentence rewrite grammatical and natural?

I dug out the photo I had it taken of Mr. C and me.

Thanks
TN

No, that is not possible.

Hi Mr. Micawber,

Do you mean: I dug out the photo I had taken of Mr. C and me? But does this tell you that I'm not the one who took the photo and neither did Mr. C?

Thanks
TN

That's right!

Here are some different times for the same idea:

I dug out a photo I had had taken of Mr. C and me.
I dug out a photo a photographer had taken of Mr. C and me.
I'll dig out a photo I had taken of Mr. C and me.
I want to have a photo taken of Mr. C and me.
Would you like to come to the studio? I'm having a photo taken of

Hi Mister Micawber,

Thanks for giving me so many varied examples of the usage.

Can I ask if you could give me some examples of 'I was the one who took the picture'?

Thanks
TN

tinanam0102Can I ask if you could give me some examples of 'I was the one who took the picture'?

Oh, I think it's your turn, TN. Let's see if you can come up with a range of examples.

Hi Mister Micawber,

Ok my turn:

I found a photo of Mr C which I had taken for him last year.
I found a photo of Mr C and me which I had taken for us last year.
The photo with Mr C in it was taken by me last year.
I took Mr C's photo last year.
I took a photo of Mr C last year.

Thanks
TN

Those are grammatically fine, TN.

I presume #1 and #1 refer to hiring a photographer on Mr C's (#1) and you and Mr C's (#2) behalf.

Hi Mister Micawber,

I thought that if I fixed it with 'for him'. The sentence would become clear that I was the one who took his picture myself. But it's not. I can say it without confusion: I took Mr C's photo. However in sentences like 'I found a photo .........' I just don't know what to do with the rest. I want to say: I found a photo. Mr. C was in it. The picture was taken b