Collection:Places Camera:Gateway DC-T50 Location: Buchanan, VA Date: Dec 22, 2005 Aperture: 1:2.8 ISO: 100 Shutter: 1/640 sec Galleries:Architecture, Digital Art Date Uploaded: Dec 23, 2005
One of a series of shots taken of historic downtown Buchanan buildings (originally commissioned Christmas presents, but plan to use them in other ways now too).
I knew that your average run-of-the-mill photograph wasn't really the recipient's cup of tea, so thought that an antique "pen & ink" look would be the way to go. I really like the way the first four have turned out, so plan to add to the series. I think that they have a lot of mass appeal in this neck of the woods - the whole "historic" thing...
Thanks Maryanne & Mom!!! :-)
PP included a LOT! There are utility lines EVERYWHERE in town and I spend untold hours meticulously erasing them pixel by pixel, trying carefully not to get bricks or shadows or tree limbs out of alignment. Sometimes I was more successful than others - lol.
Filters used (varying transparencies of selective layers): photocopy, glow:edges, accent edges, glow:neon, poster edges, cutout, backlit, negative, B/W, antique, Neat Image.
reduce backlighting
add flash
contrast
color sat
dodge/burn brush
clone brush
blend brush
save for Web
In answer to some of your questions, I didn't go over the lettering any more than was already there by the filters (in fact I tried to lessen it some). The blurred areas were a real b**** to work on! I tried and tried to glean more detail out of those areas without much success - the filters and process I used doesn't like dark areas, so I had to settle for what I got.
And yes, this is a working theatre again. It was built around 1917 (I think) and closed in the 1980s. [On a side note, I actually had my first date there in 6th grade - sat in the back row!] It fell into great disrepair, but my parents bought it in 2001, completely restored it, and is now open again and run by a non-profit organization called "Standing Room Only". It has helped revitalize the town and shows movies on weekends, hosts live concerts, rents the space to groups & businesses for meetings, and shows live sports events of local interest for free. Movie admission is $4 for adults, $2 for children (matinees are $2). Drinks, candy, and popcorn (popped in the original Manley popcorn machine) are all $1.
Hi Jimmy!
Thank you for such wonderful shots for Harry's Christmas present. I can attest to the fact that the lettering on these buildings is this dark. The reopening of the Theater was a gift by Jimmy's parents to all of us who live in this region. The volunteers are "Standing Room Only". Jimmy's Dad helped Harry remodel his house. Buchanan is really as it seems in these pics: a Southwest Virginia mountain haven. Loveya Jimmy! MMM
you sure have a good eye as for getting just the right angle/composition! Very good PS skills too. What a nice series to review. The only thing I would have liked would have been a bit more contrast on each - but that's just my personal preference.
You did a great job on these Jimmy. Im sure the business owners will love them, and you may even be able to sell them around town who knows. Keep up the creative work.
I think this is one of my favorites, although right of the bat, I'd like to say that I like the lithograph-like effect. They remind me of an old postcard. The lettering seems really vivid, and maybe a little too drastic compared with the rest of the picture, but I do like it. For some reason, I get this urge to go to one of those old pharmacies that serve ice cream and sodas and sit on a tall stool. :) Nicely done.
Ah...I get a transition of time from this shot. Very nostalgic and very well done. The lettering and sign have an almost 'neon' feel to them which I think is where I get this transitional feel from it. Still in the 50's, but want to be in the 60's look. Very nice overall composition - again your approach and angle of perspective really set it up well. Well done Jimmy!
Some of the darker lines are just a bit TOO dark IMHO, plus I keep wondering what this would look like if the coloring had a touch of sepia to it.
All up, the whole series is terrific, and would look great framed as a set.
I think I like this one the best, it stands out best against the background. The detail in the bricks looks really good, but it seems like the area under the 'merry christmas' sign is a little blurry.
Did you go over the lettering at all in this shot. It maybe stands out a little too much for my liking. Would of been nice if it were broken up a little but still readable.
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