Sepia Aging

[tegan]

Here is an example of the sepia aging photo technique. Frankly it doesn't rock for me which is why I don't do it. :) You will notice lots of "grain" as well. To be picky with my own pic, I should have probably cloned out the parking lines and perhaps the vegetation in front of the door

Tegan

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb176/ocophoto/transportation_oldphoto-1.jpg

[Travis]

I think it somewhat suffers the same problems as tiredirons recent attempt. I'm not quite sure I can put my finger on why, but I'm not fooled. It could be the structure is too modern for the vehicle or the parking lines as you suggested. It could be that he parking lot is paved. It could be the corner to corner sharpness of the image.

Aging an image is truly a tough task. Most end up looking like sharp images with degradation added. Maybe the starting point should be a basic jpeg with a crummy lens and shallow depth of field. I dunno.

[Marko]

"Sepia" is also one of those colours that's hard to define. It's like saying 'red' (dark red - light red - cherry red - firetruck red).

The tone in this image is not the tone of sepia that i like or print. I prefer a much darker and browner sepia similar to what I used to get when i actually toned prints sepia.That actual tone varied with the type of paper, and length of bleaching time , but it was always browner and richer. My preferred tone of sepia is similar to this sepia from wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sepia_(color)

Also sepia doesn't always work well with every image but in my opinion it does work with this image. I just think it would look nicer if the sepia was darker and browner. My critique on this image has nothing to do with the sepia.

I like this image and I like the composition here. The image needs a serious contrast boost globally and especially in all the foliage. It's not the sepia that is stopping this image from 'rocking', it's the contrast ;)

It seems obvious that sepia is simply not to your taste, that's cool but it seems personal. What did sepia ever do to you? :D

[tegan]

Actually the structure is from the same era as the car and paving was done in the same era as well. Interesting comment about sharpness since it was done with a 5 megapixel pocket camera. Also don't forget that twin lens reflex and other quality and large format cameras have been around for a very long time too.

But then all your comments rather prove my initial view. Is it really worth the effort and who really wants a crummy old looking photo up on their wall?

Tegan

[tirediron]

Never mind the weeds, parking-lot stripes or paving, the 185-70-15s on 60 spoke rims kill it at as far as that goes, however I think the question is, are we trying to make images which people will actually believe to be old, or are we simply trying to create something in that style? My fort image was not one with which I ever though I could fool people, rather I wanted a treatment which was more appropriate to the scene (in my mind) than a modern, sharp, full-colour image. I think both of these images acheived that aim.

[tegan]

"Sepia" is also one of those colours that's hard to define. It's like saying 'red' (dark red - light red - cherry red - firetruck red).

The tone in this image is not the tone of sepia that i like or print. I prefer a much darker and browner sepia similar to what I used to get when i actually toned prints sepia.That actual tone varied with the type of paper, and length of bleaching time , but it was always browner and richer. My preferred tone of sepia is similar to this sepia from wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sepia_(color)

Also sepia doesn't always work well with every image but in my opinion it does work with this image. I just think it would look nicer if the sepia was darker and browner. My critique on this image has nothing to do with the sepia.

I like this image and I like the composition here. The image needs a serious contrast boost globally and especially in all the foliage. It's not the sepia that is stopping this image from 'rocking', it's the contrast ;)

It seems obvious that sepia is simply not to your taste, that's cool but it seems personal. What did sepia ever do to you? :D

The lack of contrast is on purpose since that is what happens when an image fades over time. I will provide a darker sepia one for your comments.

Tegan

[Travis]

Actually the structure is from the same era as the car and paving was done in the same era as well. Interesting comment about sharpness since it was done with a 5 megapixel pocket camera. Also don't forget that twin lens reflex and other quality and large format cameras have been around for a very long time too.

But then all your comments rather prove my initial view. Is it really worth the effort and who really wants a crummy old looking photo up on their wall?

Tegan

A 5 meg pix pocket camera still will still produce a sharp image in broad daylight such as this.... and judging from your fickle style of technology research I'm pretty sure your 5meg pocket camera is a good one...:)

[tegan]

OK here is the browner sepia with more contrast as requested by Marko.

Tegan

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb176/ocophoto/agedphoto3.jpg

[Marko]

Hi tegan,

I believe you've given me permission to try my edits in the past... Feel free to ask me to delete this if I've misunderstood - no problem.

This is kind of how I'd play with this image - This represents 4 minutes of play. I'd probably need another 10 min more.

Comments?

thx
m

[Travis]

OK here is the browner sepia with more contrast as requested by Marko.

Tegan

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb176/ocophoto/agedphoto3.jpg


I prefer this one..........

[tegan]

I agree with Travis and yes editing my photos on this site is not a problem.

Tegan

[Marko]

For me most photos (there are always many exceptions) should have a nice selection of tones (from dark to light) and a good sepia print should IMO also follow that rule.

Once that rule is followed then then actual tone of the sepia becomes less important and more a question of personal taste...:twocents:

Marko

[Travis]

I think we have wondered off the "critique" zone and entered into "IMO" zone for this image...

I prefer Tegans revised issue due to the browns as Marko suggested.... but also due to some of the blown highlights that are typical in an old degraded image...

Tirediron also made good points about artistic intention....

Personally, I don't think the surrounding artifacts contribute to the image... I'd rather see this car winding down a dirt road... or a sharply dressed male model changing a tire while a pale looking female model with a sunbrella waits at the end of the car....

but I'm guessing this shot is not staged shoot since you were using your Minolta pocket cam...

[tegan]

I think we have wondered off the "critique" zone and entered into "IMO" zone for this image...

I prefer Tegans revised issue due to the browns as Marko suggested.... but also due to some of the blown highlights that are typical in an old degraded image...

Tirediron also made good points about artistic intention....

Personally, I don't think the surrounding artifacts contribute to the image... I'd rather see this car winding down a dirt road... or a sharply dressed male model changing a tire while a pale looking female model with a sunbrella waits at the end of the car....

but I'm guessing this shot is not staged shoot since you were using your Minolta pocket cam...

You are correct. I came across this car when I was out with my wife and son walking around scouting out restaurants for dinner in the Bay of Fundy area. My pocket cam however is full adjustable with even a spot meter choice and a 2.8 lens, so you are also correct with reference to my approach to technology.

Tegan

Tegan

[kiley9806]

i personally prefer markos edit - the one of tegans seems too bright to me. i also think that if this ones a keeper, the painted lines on the lot must be cloned out.

[tegan]

For me most photos (there are always many exceptions) should have a nice selection of tones (from dark to light) and a good sepia print should IMO also follow that rule.

Once that rule is followed then then actual tone of the sepia becomes less important and more a question of personal taste...:twocents:

Marko

If sepia is being used to create an "aged" print, then that goal would run counter to a nice selection of tones which suggests present day technical quality. :confused:

If on the other hand, the goal is just to create a technically and compositionally excellent sepia shot, then the question is WHY? One of the rules of all media even television is that any technique must fit the shot and the subject. :confused: In that regard, a nice selection of tones can be present in any colour shot, it is NOT necessary to use sepia and sepia does not do it better.

Tegan

[baddness]

I personally liked the first one. For doing this, do you shoot in color and change it in PS or shoot in sepia?

[Marko]

If sepia is being used to create an "aged" print, then that goal would run counter to a nice selection of tones which suggests present day technical quality. :confused:

who said this - surely not I.

I have many years of toning experience under my belt. I simply love the look for my own fine art work and many wedding clients love a few nice sepia toned shots. It has nothing to do with aging. It's just a way to get a certain look and feel.


If on the other hand, the goal is just to create a technically and compositionally excellent sepia shot, then the question is WHY?

Who said this - surely not I.

I like sepia just because it's a beautifully expressive tone - and i only use in with shots where I feel it works. (Normally shots where I'm after some timeless feeling).



One of the rules of all media even television is that any technique must fit the shot and the subject. :confused: In that regard, a nice selection of tones can be present in any colour shot, it is NOT necessary to use sepia and sepia does not do it better.

Even though I agree with some of them in principle, I have NEVER EVER seen these Rules of all media. Please point them out to me one day. Surely they are carved into tablets "somewhere". ;)

As I previously mentioned. I use sepia to get the feel I want in a certain print. Colour does not do it better in those case, and I expect my sepia prints to have good range of tones.

It seems we are miles apart here tegan. That's cool but that's it for me.

[AcadieLibre]

I just think the car is far to shiny to be made into an antique photo. Also looks far to sunny to a photo from that period, not that they didn't have sunny days lol but when photographed it never showed like it does in that photo. Has nothing to do with the sepia or aging process the photo for that type of shot is just wrong.