Pinkham & Smith-- how it was done

papah · Joined: 09 Apr 2009 Posts: 12 Location: Seattle, USA

Pinkham & Smith Visual Quality 75mm f/3 lens.

Digital Post-processing for this image, How it was done, on my blog:
http://thenewpictorialism.blogspot.com/

Take a look!

Minolfan · Joined: 30 Dec 2008 Posts: 3438 Location: Netherlands

Thanks. Very interesting!

kds315* · Expire: 2021-03-09

The result looks nice, although reaching it this way would contradict my personal "puristic" approach.

[The title is misleading, I was expecting to read about the making of a SF lens... Wink

]

Orio · Expire: 2012-12-04

I much prefer the original image without post-processing
it has a fantastic subtle tone gradient on the stairs (both light and colours), provided by the lens, that gets completely lost with the edits.
The only thing I would do is to crop out the lamps on the top (as you did) or, even better, clone their bottom part out while leaving some of the windows in.

kds315* · Expire: 2021-03-09

izvar · Joined: 17 Feb 2011 Posts: 252 Location: Moldova

I think in post-processing, the most important thing, is to stop in time. Therefore, imho, the second image(postprocessed) with minimal touches (composition and contrast correction) is the best.

iangreenhalgh1 · Expire: 2014-01-07

I really think that image has been ruined with all the PP, it looks way too synthetic.

Willem · Joined: 08 Jun 2011 Posts: 280 Location: Netherlands

i like both the original and the final image. Both could have their use. I can see the processed image as a book-cover for instance. Thanks, i found it very interesting.

Lloydy · Expire: 2022-01-01

Looking at the image at the top of the page here, I didn't like it very much because my immediate thought was - "the light is bent". It looks as though the light streaming down the steps then bends towards the girl, and the rays accentuate that.
When I saw the original with the windows included, the light made sense.

I like the processing, it looks very good, but I think it needs the light source including.

Esox lucius · Expire: 2011-11-18

I think the first is a very moody photograph, and the later is a very nice drawing. I'm more into the philosophy that Photoshop tricks should be used but not perceived, which is also the reason I like the original more.

luisalegria · Expire: 2018-01-18

A lot of old "pictorial" shots were just as heavily processed in the darkroom.
Modern PP is just new tools for an old requirement.

Its a matter of taste and intention.

In this case I think it works very well.

woodrim · Joined: 14 Jan 2010 Posts: 4060 Location: Charleston

Very nice.

56 DIN · Expire: 2021-11-18

i am not shure which one i like most - for shure the lamps in the original shot were disturbing, agree with Orio, that the windows might have added something positive. What i do not see, is the reason for the strong vignetting in the final picture - it partially takes out the magic atmosphere of the original
i think it depends on medium and size which one works better, tending towards the original.....
nevertheless, thanks for explaining how you did it - its an extraordinary work