duxford flying legends 2007 Hurricane ready!

Trying to create the summer of 1940 look, at a real Battle of Britain

airfield. Comments welcome.

Alex - I think this is a good shot. Have you tried increasing contrast and introducing 'film grain' to give it more of a 1940's look?

 

 

Thanks for the feedback. I didn't want too much contrast, and I've added gaussian noise to give a grain effect. Maybe I didn't add enough, but you can clearly see it if you view large (though it is more noticable on the original than the resized one here!).

I really enjoyed this photo - good work. Regarding the "grain"... it was pointed out to me, quite astutely, right here on p.net that most photos of that period were taken using 4x5 press cameras. They were remarkably smooth. Sure, the grain suggests age to most people, but if you look at most of the photos of the day, its the tonality rather than grain that sets them apart. The emulsions of the time had different spectral senisitivity than moder pan films and they tended to render colours in a rather unique (to a modern observer) fashion. Still, its a great image, even if I am not sure if anything other than the subject matter gives me the impression of 1940's vintage. This in no detratcts from my enjoyment of it - but it does have that digital monochrome look to it.

ditto Peter on both accounts. BTW, i think it was probably August that pointed out the 4X5 bit, if i recall.

 

Alex, to get the true film look, you have to shoot film! I know i was blown away by how much better BW film looked compared to digital BW.

 

I do like the composition in this shot, as well as the contrast on my monitor. But the tones are lacking compared to traditional film methinks.

Agree with the comments posted above. Other little issues: (1) medium-long focal length would have been unusual for the time; (2) the chap even at this distance looks too old and out of shape to be a wartime hero; (3) in wartime photos the grass is never so weed-free and nicely trimmed! (see, e.g., http://www.aviationmuseum.co.uk/mk1hurri.jpg). The aircraft lets you down a little bit too with its Mk.XII prop and spinner. Not much you an do about most of this as a photographer, the circumstances just set limits on how effective of a vintage mood you can create.

 

Thanks all for the feedback. I knew I should have spent more than 2 minutes on this!

 

Alex, think the guys have said it all - it's so difficult to achieve the vintage look. Perhaps you could take out the 'insignia' on the props - most pics you see from the time seem to have pretty 'worn' airscrews.

 

Wondered where my Dad had got to in '40 - now I know!! Also, rare to see the groundcrew resplendent in full uniform, usually in working rig, apart of course from the 'SWO man' always in full fig. Not a lot you can do about that, I guess but the image affords a real nostalgic air - nicely done. Cheers.....Pat.