ClaremontPhoto
Jon Claremont
I've just been looking through somebody's color photos from, I'd guess, the 1940's.
Part of their charm lies in the fashions of the day, part is in the dated settings, but most of all it's the color that makes them so attractive.
I wonder if a film manufacturer could make that film again? After all Ilford makes speciality SFX film which must sell in very small amounts, so why not a speciality 1940's color film from somebody?
Alternatively maybe the look can be recreated with a filter over the lens?
Or, lastly perhaps an aging effect in imagery software.
Is there a way to recreate these colors?
Part of their charm lies in the fashions of the day, part is in the dated settings, but most of all it's the color that makes them so attractive.
I wonder if a film manufacturer could make that film again? After all Ilford makes speciality SFX film which must sell in very small amounts, so why not a speciality 1940's color film from somebody?
Alternatively maybe the look can be recreated with a filter over the lens?
Or, lastly perhaps an aging effect in imagery software.
Is there a way to recreate these colors?
nksyoon
Well-known
Alien Skin Exposure, a plugin for Photoshop, has lots of presets for film types and effects. Some samples on their website.
Some cross-processing presets I tried:
Some cross-processing presets I tried:
Mr_Flibble
In Tabulas Argenteas Refero
Shooting with uncoated lenses works a treat 
There are a lot of great Kodachrome Transparancy shots on display over at Shorpy - 100 year old photoblog
There are a lot of great Kodachrome Transparancy shots on display over at Shorpy - 100 year old photoblog
Dave Wilkinson
Veteran
Jon, If you can get a copy of this weeks 'Amateur Photographer' ( UK mag. ) there's an interesting article on this very subject, with some great pics that were taken in the fifties - mainly on outdated Kodachrome.
Dave.
Dave.
ClaremontPhoto
Jon Claremont
Thank you, I'll look into that.
ClaremontPhoto
Jon Claremont
Thank you, i'm already using a single coated lens, and now wonder if that coating could be removed.
Anybody already tried it?
ClaremontPhoto
Jon Claremont
Sadly Amateur Photographer is not on sale in shops, and it's not available online.
If there are any good suggestions in the article for aging color film images could you please tell us briefly what they suggest?
kully
Happy Snapper
Hallo Jon,
Could you give examples of the look you have in mind?
I got something quite pleasing with Velvia 50 and an uncoated summitar, it gives wonderful pastel colours.
Could you give examples of the look you have in mind?
I got something quite pleasing with Velvia 50 and an uncoated summitar, it gives wonderful pastel colours.
ClaremontPhoto
Jon Claremont
Genuine old Kodachromes such as this. And others accessed from there with the 'previous' and 'next' navigation.
I'm thinking about printing a photo on an inkjet, and leaving it to 'mature' in bright sunlight for a few months before scanning it.
ClaremontPhoto
Jon Claremont
This is a better link than the one above as it shows hundreds of thumbnails.
steamer
Well-known
Here is some velvia 100 shot with an uncoated tessar on a Super Ikonta folder.
Sparrow
Veteran
Jon
If you have Photoshop have a play with “Channel Mixer” in the “Image”>”Adjust” menu once your happy with a look you can save the file for future use.
Spielberg in Saving Private Ryan simply destructed the film by 50% and that looks the part, oddly
If you have Photoshop have a play with “Channel Mixer” in the “Image”>”Adjust” menu once your happy with a look you can save the file for future use.
Spielberg in Saving Private Ryan simply destructed the film by 50% and that looks the part, oddly
Ade-oh
Well-known
Amongst current colour films, I would recommend Fuji Astia 100 teamed with an old lens (I use a 1946 Summitar) for the right combination of sharpness, odd bokeh and slightly muted colours.
Muggins
Junk magnet
There's always the Autochrome process. Good autochromes look beautiful, but I don't think it's the sort of thing you can do for real very easily...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autochrome_Lumière
Adrian
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autochrome_Lumière
Adrian
ClaremontPhoto
Jon Claremont
Thank you all for good ideas, and some examples.
I had hoped to do in camera without any photoshopping.
Also I cannot readily use E6 film as it's not supported by my local shops.
There must be a way to use C41 so as to get he vintage look naturally. Perhaps very outdated film is the way to go?
Again thank you, it's impressive how much expertise there is at this site.
I had hoped to do in camera without any photoshopping.
Also I cannot readily use E6 film as it's not supported by my local shops.
There must be a way to use C41 so as to get he vintage look naturally. Perhaps very outdated film is the way to go?
Again thank you, it's impressive how much expertise there is at this site.
mhv
Registered User
An uncoated lens is going to be your best bet. Most lenses made before WWII were not coated. I have a Zeiss Triotar in Contax Mount that dates from the 30s, and when used on color film, it gives that muted look, with color casts in the shadows.
Most box cameras have an uncoated lens, so it could be your cheapest bet to try out the look.
Most box cameras have an uncoated lens, so it could be your cheapest bet to try out the look.
Attachments
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Try Maco Scanfilm. Grainy, old-fashioned colours. It's an aerial film, slit & perforated for 35mm. I think it's still available. Load in VERY subdued light.
Cheers,
R.
Cheers,
R.
ClaremontPhoto
Jon Claremont
Roger:
Yes! I think you've got the solution.
After a bit of Googling I know that it's now branded Rollei Scanfilm, and read your piece about it at shutterbug.net
Thank you.
Yes! I think you've got the solution.
After a bit of Googling I know that it's now branded Rollei Scanfilm, and read your piece about it at shutterbug.net
Thank you.
raid
Dad Photographer
Outdated Agfa negative film gives a nice color vintage rendering.
Just get some one hour lab prints and leave them out in bright sunlight for a couple of weeks.