Old Printing Styles - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

09/17/2004 08:32:14 AM · #1

I submitted a version of this image for the Master's challenge, but found it was off by a day. Oh well. So now I'd like to compare two versions of it. The first is a simple b/w. In the second, I wanted to somehow capture the feel and tones of some of the older printing methods (gelatin?) that lend a golden tone to the photo. It's not a sepia per se, but more of a yellowish . . . well, just take a look.

Which one is best?

cpanaioti

Canon EOS-40D

09/17/2004 08:34:15 AM · #2

For me, the second one is better due to increased detail and contrast.

Sony DT 11-18mm f/4.5-5.6 Aspherical ED Super Wide Angle Zoom

09/17/2004 10:06:24 AM · #3

Thanks Colette.

Does anyone know anything about the old printing methods. The tones are so exquisite in them. Or are we all totally digital here now?

JPR

Sony Alpha a55

09/17/2004 10:12:55 AM · #4

I also much prefer the second one. The foreground especially is dramatically improved. I'm also curious about how to achieve the effects of traditional film printing methods. It seems like whatever I try it never comes out looking quite right. Perhaps the difference is the paper. I'm sure if they were scanned and viewed on the computer they wouldn't look nearly the same. What technique did you use for the processing on this photo if you don't mind me asking.

Blackdog

Canon EOS-20D

Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro for Canon

09/17/2004 10:18:48 AM · #5

The second one definitely. Although to explain why is a little more difficult. I'll try....

The first one looks much more harsh, flat and cold. The secod has a more real, 3D appearance to it and therefore seems more lifelike. More tones = more real?

Sony DT 11-18mm f/4.5-5.6 Aspherical ED Super Wide Angle Zoom

09/17/2004 11:25:05 AM · #6

Originally posted by JPR:

On the second one, I simply boosted the yellow by about 18% in the highlights using the Color Balance menu.

JPR

Sony Alpha a55

09/17/2004 12:18:07 PM · #7

Cool. I've actually been fiddling with the color balance menu for about an hour. I really like the effects that can be achieved with it but it can be a bit overwhelming at times.

ursula

Fujifilm X-T2

Fujifilm XF 55-200mm f/3.5-4.8 R LM OIS

09/17/2004 12:32:37 PM · #8

David, last year while I was still living in Ottawa, I took a class on old style printing methods (but not the expensive ones, just the cheap ones). It turns out you can make prints with all sorts of things, including grass clippings mashed in a blender, and some of these things come out beautiful!

But, as part of the class, we got to meet the curator of the photography section of the National Gallery in Ottawa. He showed us some absolutely beautiful old prints. BTW, he's got this fantastic office with huge windows overlooking the Ottawa river. To my eyes, many of the old silver prints and gelatin prints have more of a silvery flaxen look rather than golden, almost shimery, warm and beautiful. Quite different than sepia toning, and more into the, I'm not sure how to call it, but I'd say the "champagne" line of colour, not pink though. They look deep. And the detail is exquisite, even in very large prints.

I don't think that everything is digital right now. There's an artist here in my town (Richard Solstice) who does hand prints using older methods. His prints are exquisite in real life (they don't look as good on the net). I think hand printing is an art that's not going to go away because of digital, but digital and other methods will live side by side.

I have been experimenting with getting the "hand print look" in digital. So far I'm not satisfied. I'll get there :) Looks like you will too.

EDIT: I just noticed, this is my longest post ever to DPChallenge!!!

SECOND EDIT: David, I forgot, I like the second one better :)

Message edited by author 2004-09-17 12:41:40.