Sepia Toning
Aug 14, 2018 10:08:45 #
In black & white film photography, chemical sepia toning of prints was one of the tools used by some (many?) photographers. These days we can achieve similar results in the post-processing of digital images. I've seen some examples posted on this forum, mixed in with the predominantly intensely colorful photos of flowers, birds and landscapes.
So the question is, is "sepia" a quaint relic (fad?) of the past, or is it still a viable option for artistic expression? I'm not familiar with photography contests, are there ever any sepia entries? What subjects are most suitable for the sepia treatment? Is it mainly a nostalgia/recreating history kind of thing?
Am seriously interested in your views on this and say "thank you" in advance.
So the question is, is "sepia" a quaint relic (fad?) of the past, or is it still a viable option for artistic expression? I'm not familiar with photography contests, are there ever any sepia entries? What subjects are most suitable for the sepia treatment? Is it mainly a nostalgia/recreating history kind of thing?
Am seriously interested in your views on this and say "thank you" in advance.
Aug 14, 2018 10:33:10 #
srt101fan wrote:
In black & white film photography, chemical se... (show quote)
A Sepia effect can still be pleasant for some monochrome images. But do remember that chemical based Sepia toning of traditional Silver based photographic paper was not always or completely done for aesthetic or artistic reasons. The "Sepia" treatment stabilized the Silver in the print and made it much more archival! There have been many toning methods using different chemicals and metals (Platinum, Selenium, even Gold) for creating archival and interesting toned images for well over a century and a quarter.
Aug 14, 2018 10:33:44 #
Some years ago, at a local fair, a photographer had set up shop, with a large number of old-fashioned clothing for customers to dress in: "wild west" themes, 1800's style dress, etc.
The photos he took, were all printed in sepia tones. This fellow also had an eye for composition of family groups, and he was doing very well, selling these photos.
So it seems that yes, there may still be some demand for this kind of photos.
As to subject: I can't imagine a photo of say, some modern office towers, or the newest aircraft, in sepia tones, but for recreating history I think they are perfect.
The nice part for us today is, that we can take the photos in their natural colours, and change them to sepia after the fact.
The photos he took, were all printed in sepia tones. This fellow also had an eye for composition of family groups, and he was doing very well, selling these photos.
So it seems that yes, there may still be some demand for this kind of photos.
As to subject: I can't imagine a photo of say, some modern office towers, or the newest aircraft, in sepia tones, but for recreating history I think they are perfect.
The nice part for us today is, that we can take the photos in their natural colours, and change them to sepia after the fact.
Aug 14, 2018 10:42:54 #
I think the success depends on subject, as has been mentioned. Old barns, vehicles or farm equipment in disrepair seem to work well. I usually don't attempt to convert to sepia because I like crisper contrasts and broader tonal ranges with black and white (or slight selenium/silver color) or I am using color and sunlight in a big way 
As for viable option as artistic expression, that is certainly up to you! It's interesting to note, though, how some effects do seem to come and go in popularity - HDR and selective color come to mind, along with "out of bounds" framing.
Hopefully, someone with competition experience can point you to contests that have categories such as sepia or a broader section of "heavily pp'd" that would include.
As for viable option as artistic expression, that is certainly up to you! It's interesting to note, though, how some effects do seem to come and go in popularity - HDR and selective color come to mind, along with "out of bounds" framing.
Hopefully, someone with competition experience can point you to contests that have categories such as sepia or a broader section of "heavily pp'd" that would include.
Aug 14, 2018 10:51:49 #
Toning is merely a an additional brush among many creative brushes available for photographers
Aug 14, 2018 10:56:01 #
I still like sepia on some of the categories already mentioned here, especially when reminding of earlier times. But I believe it is probably only attractive to an older generation who grew up with it. In another 10-15 years from now your same question will be posted here about B&W as younger generations have only grown up with color.
Aug 14, 2018 11:04:04 #
This is an old lumber mill in Yakima, unused for a decade I believe. Not sure if this is "true" sepia or if there even is such a definition
Aug 14, 2018 11:22:11 #
Linda From Maine wrote:
This is an old lumber mill in Yakima, unused for a decade I believe. Not sure if this is "true" sepia or if there even is such a definition
I used to do "true" sepia, that is, the chemical kind on darkroom prints. It used nasty, smelly, toxic chemicals. First, a bleach bath which bleached the lighter parts of the image, and then a toner bath which replaced them with the sepia tone. Much easier and cleaner to simulate it digitally.
Aug 14, 2018 11:40:14 #
srt101fan wrote:
In black & white film photography, chemical se... (show quote)
Any and every media is viable for artistic expression, that's what art is all about. People don't have to like it, it what suits the artist is what is of importance! Trends come and go, but they never die (and may return stronger). There are (and there shouldn't be) any restrictions in expression!
Aug 14, 2018 11:43:53 #
JohnSwanda wrote:
Since I dabbled in b&w film darkrooms a couple of decades ago, I should have known better than to not make clear I was referring just to digital processing here I used to do "true" sepia, that is, the chemical kind on darkroom prints. It used nasty, smelly, toxic chemicals. First, a bleach bath which bleached the lighter parts of the image, and then a toner bath which replaced them with the sepia tone. Much easier and cleaner to simulate it digitally.
Aug 14, 2018 11:45:26 #
Sepia toning a monochrome image can help express a desired mood - warmth, coldness, etc. Personally, I don't tone my images with the intent of making them appear old or antique. Nor do I add fake scratches, rips or stains to the image.
Aug 14, 2018 11:51:30 #
Linda From Maine wrote:
Since I dabbled in b&w film darkrooms a couple of decades ago, I should have known better than to not make clear I was referring just to digital processing here
You referred to "true" sepia, and of course, digital sepia is never "true" sepia.
Aug 14, 2018 11:58:35 #
JohnSwanda wrote:
Yes, that is what I was acknowledging with my reply to you You referred to "true" sepia, and of course, digital sepia is never "true" sepia.
Aug 14, 2018 13:29:38 #
srt101fan wrote:
In black & white film photography, chemical se... (show quote)
I do it combined with textures to make an image look old and distressed.
Aug 15, 2018 03:15:58 #
Linda From Maine wrote:
This is an old lumber mill in Yakima, unused for a decade I believe. Not sure if this is "true" sepia or if there even is such a definition
I copied your download, converted it to B/W, applied my sepia tone and got almost exactly what you have. All copies and adjustments have been deleted.
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