Sepia Aging

[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...

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...

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.

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. 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.

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. 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.