Simulating old photo effect

goldseeker

Hi
Have seen some beautiful pictures online, might post link latter.
Not sure done with real old camera, or just made look old.
Tried to do myself a couple, share your experience if you done something similar. Spent like 30minutes on each of the pictures.Still not happy.

magicbastarder

it's possible they don't look convincing because they're still exhibiting modern characteristics - the first one looks a lot sharper than a lot of the photos you'd be seeking to emulate, and the creases in the 'print' look a bit random - in a lot of cases, a crease will be roughly straight and run from edge to edge, not take a 90 degree turn.
plus, you've put what looks like a fake film border on a print; again, not something which you'd see.

sineadw

Apart from anything, the guy in the shot looks like he's from the 21st century. It's never gonna work with a modern subject.

goldseeker

Not sure if I can put here not my own work but just to show what I was after. Will delete them after a day or two.
I think those photos looks just amazing.

pete4130

What are you more amazed by? The image content or the gimmicky effect?

xshayx

The effect on the last ones you posted looks like TTV - through the viewfinder - taking the photo through another cameras viewfinder.... It can be done using an old camera with a large viewfinder, or done in photoshop with a plugin...

DaireQuinlan

xshayx wrote: »

The effect on the last ones you posted looks like TTV - through the viewfinder - taking the photo through another cameras viewfinder.... It can be done using an old camera with a large viewfinder, or done in photoshop with a plugin...

It's either actual wet plate, probably some colloidon process, or has been PP'd to look like it.

sineadw

Yep I think they're wet plate collodion. Sure just do one of those

*runs away...

In all seriousness though, I tried to do similar earlier in the year and failed miserably. It's difficult. You need the right model first and foremost. And then light just moves differently on a digital sensor (anti-halation is one thing, pixels are another..). You've done a fairly good job. Lose the fake film border (plates don't have those ) and the crinkles (plates don't have those either ) and maybe read up a bit on the process to get a better feel for it.

sineadw

Oh, and here's a video for you http://redux.com/stream/item/2227133/SILVER-LIGHT (can you tell I'm a bit obsessed with these?..)

sineadw

Oh, and waaaaaay less depth of field. These would be large format, so even with a small aperture you're talking miniature depth of focus.

Shutting up now

goldseeker

Thanks guys, at least I know how the process is called (wet plate collodion)
I thought those photos just enhanced in photoshop. Have no means to get those wet plates, but will try to replicate in digitally.
Thanks sineadw for links.