In English law it is rather complicated and depends to a large extent when the photograph was taken. A photograph taken in modern times (after 1st August 1989) has a copyright the length of the life of the photographer PLUS seventy years.
Photographs made before 1st June 1957 are a little different. These photographs were originally protected for a period of 50 years from the end of the calendar year in which they were taken (regardless of whether they were published or not). If the photograph was still in copyright as of 1 July 1995 however, the period of copyright was extended to the life of the photographer plus 70 years. If copyright protection had expired before 1 July 1995, there was still the chance to "revive" the photograph. An eligible photograph would then be protected by the new term, ie the photographer's life plus 70 years.
The owner of a revived copyright is the former owner (ie the person who owned the copyright immediately before it expired). If that person died before 1 January 1996 or was a company that ceased to exist before 1 January 1996, then the revived copyright passes to the photographer or the photographer's heirs.
Phew!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cheers
Steve