Taxi it home

Tried to go for that old, moody look. Took some printing to get it

to look like this, most of which is ruined by the scan, but hey - I

wanted to share.

It does indeed capture that old look with grainy sky. Well done. I suggest better dust control in the darkroom.

And less od this "look at me I've got the F1". Its not the camera that matteres.

It does capture that vintage look, and maybe the dust even helps. I confess I have never understood why people do the make-it-look-old thing with warbird pictures, but this is well done of its kind.

It does look vintage, but photos from that time (WWII) were usually shot with press view 4x5's and tended not to be very grainy at all. They did tend to be contrasty/crunchy though. I don't get the "look at me I've got the F1" comment. I don't see where you were chest beating about your camera??? I still like your shot because the P-51 is the "Cadillac" of the sky.

Grom, thanks for the comments and suggestions. I am in love with my F1, the truth might as well be known :) It understands me.

 

August,

Quite honestly I agree with the "make it look like..." sentiment you hold, but sometimes I think its fun, especially with "period pieces". They almost look out of place in the clinical antiseptic museums and the like.

But I have to come out with the truth: I liked the potential of this neg, but when I shot it I only had a one camera, one lens - a 50mm - on hand. It was either shoot and crop, or not get the pic. The straight print was uninteresting, so I decided to play aournd with it. Given the enlargement and the crop from a fairly grainy 35mm film... well, my options were either forget it or go for a "look". I knew the sky would have to be a part of the image or else it would be very bland and empty, and after several prints this was not the most correct, but the most interesting result I got. I wont bore you with the straight print, or the lighter version I have - I simply thought that as depictions of an airplane they were too poor and without the drmamtic sky they, frankly, lacked any merit.

 

As to the dust, yes, its a devil and it gets in there - but I think the scanner has some spots on the glass, because not all of these are on the print.

 

Alas, here it is - and I truly appreciate the input, thanks as always.

Hi Peter,interesting photo,i like the composition and the feel of the picture.Nice

Cheers Duncan

I think you captured something here, and you captured it very well indeed. And posting the technical details of how you accomplished this look is much appreciated.

 

Well done and thanks for sharing it.

This shot has character for sure, nice one.

A new photo from you! It was worth the wait. It has a timeless quality to it. elisabeth

Thank you all for your kind words, I am truly flattered! I am glad it brought a smile to your faces, as your images so often bring to mine!

very great photo, the clouds are perfect!

First of all, thanks for stopping by my picture of the steam powered launch.

 

I wanted to commend you on this shot. not only is the P-51 a great bird, but I can appreciate your work at trying to get the vintage feel here. It certainly works for me.

 

Congrats on a great image.

 

Dave in NY

Absolutely great image!