Simulating “Old Time” look (Page 2): The ones you saw were probably not done using collodion and glass plates. --Bob...

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

The ones you saw were probably not done using collodion and glass plates.
--Bob

rook2c4 wrote:

I'm not sure why people often assume old time look photographs need to be riddled with a ridiculous amount of scratches and stains! I have quite a few actual photos from the late 1800's, and none of them look like that.

Largobob

Bill_de wrote:

Yeah, but not everybody has a flux capacitor.

Nice shots!

--

Nor diLithium crystals....

kdogg Loc: Gallipolis Ferry WV

I shoot Canon cameras and in picture styles there is a monochrome setting which gives me 4 different filters one of them is sepia which it applies as you are shooting. Don't know if Nikon has the same set up but you might check your manual to see.

anotherview Loc: California

In the Hue/Saturation adjustment tool in Photoshop you will find a preset called "Old Style." It might serve your purpose.

Steve Whitcomb wrote:

I am working with a “living historical farm” that tries to show what life was like in the 1800’s. I would like to take photos of people in costume simulating the look and feel of 1860’s portraits, but using modern equipment (Nikon DSLR, Canon printer, Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop). Does anybody have any recommendations? Thanks.

Doowopa Loc: Connecticut

[quote=Steve Whitcomb]I am working with a âliving historical farmâ that tries to show what life was like in the 1800âs. I would like to take photos of people in costume simulating the look and feel of 1860âs

Nik free plugins

Darkroom317 Loc: Mishawaka, IN

Start with a blue filter. Early emulsions were nearly only blue sensitive. A blue filter will help with the spectral response. The look of wet plate collodion is unique because of its uv/ blue sensitivity. It won't be easy to truly replicate.

L-Fox

Dilithium crystals should never be used with a flux capacitor; warps the timeline!

tommystrat Loc: Bigfork, Montana

Then ya canna get the power, Captain!

Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

Steve Whitcomb wrote:

I am working with a “living historical farm” that tries to show what life was like in the 1800’s. I would like to take photos of people in costume simulating the look and feel of 1860’s portraits, but using modern equipment (Nikon DSLR, Canon printer, Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop). Does anybody have any recommendations? Thanks.

I question the need to make a photo look old if the setting it self looks as it did in then 1880's. In other words if the buildings and etc. are all fresh shouldn't your photos be also? or at least offer that option? When converting to B&W use a blue filter (as mentioned earlier) But, using simulated fading and toning will not replicate in period images.

G Brown Loc: Sunny Bognor Regis West Sussex UK

rook2c4 wrote:

I'm not sure why people often assume old time look photographs need to be riddled with a ridiculous amount of scratches and stains! I have quite a few actual photos from the late 1800's, and none of them look like that.

You beat me to it.....

With none photographic prints....people used to colour them in. This was a highly skilled practice!
Using layers on a photographic image you can recreate those subtle tones and maybe the odd crease if you really must.

Go to the local museum and look at old photographs....The edges may be marked a little through handling but the badly scratched and blotch ones were probably thrown away long ago.

Have fun

OddJobber Loc: Portland, OR

rook2c4 wrote:

I'm not sure why people often assume old time look photographs need to be riddled with a ridiculous amount of scratches and stains! I have quite a few actual photos from the late 1800's, and none of them look like that.

I scanned some olde family photos, some of them over 100 years olde and none of them looked that beat up.
One thing I did notice, go easy on the makeup and hair.
Here's one from 1890, straight off scanner, not processed yet.
EDIT: Use awkward, uncomfortable poses to simulate the long shutter speeds.

(Download)

aellman Loc: Boston MA

Steve Whitcomb wrote:

I am working with a âliving historical farmâ that tries to show what life was like in the 1800âs. I would like to take photos of people in costume simulating the look and feel of 1860âs portraits, but using modern equipment (Nikon DSLR, Canon printer, Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop). Does anybody have any recommendations? Thanks.

Many cameras have a sepia color mode built in. That's where I'd start. Another characteristic of some old photos was cropping the rectangle to an oval image. When people didn't yet have their own cameras, portraits were taken in professional studios. They used a number of period backgrounds, some of which are still available at reasonable prices from the backdrop suppliers.Those images were usually taken with view cameras and display a very narrow depth of field. If you want to go to the extreme, you can take a hot clothes iron to monochrome prints. That antiques them very fast and convincingly. Just
go slowly in small steps to avoid overdoing the antiquing and burning your house down. >Alan

jwd722

Here is a technique I found a while back. I have never tried it yet but it looks interesting.
http://www.peachpit.com/articles/article.aspx?p=1851234

Steve Whitcomb

Thanks. That looks like fun. Have to try it.