The Wait

very good work

Hi Tony,

Thanks for sharing. I like the story aspect of this image. I like that the costume and the environment are consistent. I also understand why you processed the image to draw the focus on the woman. I would make some suggestions, however. The forced blur I think is a bit too much and is at an odd angle. I'm assuming you did this in photoshop, though it could be done in-camera with some difficulty. Think of the focal plan as a literal vertical plan from where she's standing. What i would do is draw a horizontal line across the photo at where her feet are and then create a graduated blur layer from the line up and then another from the line down...Then i would mask out her body and any of the foliage that would visually fall within that plan. The second thing i would suggest if you really want to give it an authentic feel, is to tone down the sepia. Originals were more brown with an orange tint. One misconception about antique photos of that period (i collect them) is that they had poor focus quality. Go take a look and i think you'll be surprised (other than some of the salt prints) at how crisp they are...exposure was more of an issue than sharpness..you could even add a SLIGHT vignette. If you REALLY want to give it an old-school look, look up Petzval lenses. THey have this period blur that is focused in the center but then gives an almost spiral bokeh that can be quite dreamy and impressionistic. Seriously, let me know if you go back and redo the image, i would love to see the outcome.

--PatrickD

Here's a Matthew Brady image of the time. It's been color correct for pure B&W, but take a look at the focal plane and the crispness of the subjects.

Wonderful. When I didn't know that you are not 150 years old......

Thank you so very much, instead of working today, I researched lens and salt prints, it was an eye opener. I see what you mean with the pristine focus, I searched the Smithsonian of Civil War prints.

Here is what I did and personally I like it better, I did not adjust the focus, I will do that another time and play with it. I did however tone down the orange and lightened the lady up a bit added vignette and cropped a bit. Like I said, I like it but some colleges commented that the new print, "looks modern". Stupid A holes, what do they know.

Thank you so much! I am not 150 although at time I feel like it. However, my wife got me a Tome Machine from the Sharper Image. I am having a hard time navigating it, my belly is hitting the controls.

Hi Tony,

I REALLY like the direction of the revision. I think why some may think it looks "newer" is that 1) they aren't familiar with authentic images of the period (sorry, not being snippy. just honest) and 2) there is still color. HOWEVER, it was not uncommon for tintypes and ambrotypes to be hand tinted, which would give it similar tonality to what you have. I took a moment in PShop and tried to emulate a monochromatic version. What i did was 1) convert to greyscale; 2) brighten it up a bit with levels; 2) added a Red and a Yellow filter (makes orange, but easier to tweak than sepia alone); and 3) added a vignette. There are probably some formulas or actions out there that work better. What do you think?

--PatrickD

No prob with the amitures, noticed I called them "a holes" . I see what you did, the girl is not as brown and is a bit evend out.

What a resource you are Patrick, I want my wife to carry your child....

Thank you, this is a work in progress and everyday is a learning expierience.

I appreciate the offer, but i've done my time with kids and now am living a happy, child-free (mostly) life. If you want an emancipated teen dependent, however, i'd be glad to help arrange something.

as for the picture, it's always good step away from an image and come back to it with fresh eyes. I think that though my revision may seemingly be more in keeping with period, i actually prefer the muted colors of yours better. Keep going down that route.

great effect, congratulations!