Color envy, oh-my!

[Jay Slean]

How are images like this taken?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:PalmercarpenterA.jpg

I see stuff like this on Shorpy.com frequently, and am always amazed at how unreal it looks; the colors are so beautiful:

http://www.shorpy.com/4x5-large-format-kodachromes

It makes me think of the old View Master slides. I’m guessing a polarizing filter and a flash, no-yes? What else?!?!?!?!?!? The saturation of color makes me truly envious.
Thanks,
Jaybird

[Xia_Ke]

Time to go get yourself a Speed Graphic and a box of 4x5 slide film :thumbsup:

[Jay Slean]

Yeah, but, but, but? Uhm, but, but, but? EXPLETIVE!!!! Is there any way to get even close with a digital camera? Do I need to retouch everything in Photoshop to get things like that? EXPLETIVE!!!! CENSORED!!!
Jaybird

[Xia_Ke]

I'm sure someone proficient in Photoshop could get close, though it is going to take some work. Why bother though when you can get some film and get the real thing? Speed Graphics are cheap enough these days :thumbsup:

[Xia_Ke]

Want some more to drool over? Check out the Library of Congress Gallery on Flickr...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/library_of_congress/

[jkriminger]

um..i dont see no color..

[Jay Slean]

Thanks Hoss! I can use these as fodder for some of my paintings.
I'm extremely proficient in PS, and though I love the idea of film, I just can't see myself getting yet another hobby. Gees, now that you told me what kind of camera was used, it seems like everywhere I look, this afternoon, I'm seeing images created on one of these types of cameras! With my digital camera, I can blow through a zillion shots, and just keep the ones I like without having to pay someone to develop the negs. Yeah, at what price though; loss of aesthetics! Just out of curiosity, where does one get this kind of film developed? I'm sure most places would look at you like you had purple snot coming out of your nose!
Jaybird

[Xia_Ke]

Hi Jaybird I'm not positive they were shot with Speed Graphics but, that type of camera was a popular 4x5 of the time period. If I was to shoot 4x5, I would most likely end up developing all film myself. I have no labs near me that do large format films and I would be too worried about the film getting crinkled or fogged if I had to mail it out. Speed Graphics and the like are actually very economical if you want to make the jump to large format photography. You can get nice set-ups, with lens, for like $300. The film isn't exactly cheap though

[Jay Slean]

You do nice work for a RED SOX fan! I used to love the Indians until the half-assed strike a few years back, now it's all about the money, but I digress!
When I get comfortable with my 40D, I'll post some of my own. I was just at an abandoned sugar mill and got some pretty good shots. I used a polarizing filter and it helped to give it that rich color saturation that I was looking for.
Oh, if you want a great subject to shoot, try corvids! Corvids are birds that are related to crows, like jays; it's not because it's my name either! These birds are fearless and not afraid of people, so you can get within six to seven feet, but usually ten to twelve( I would never feed them to get a shot, I keep birds wild!) Their colors are so rich, it's hard to take a bad picture.
Jaybird

[fx101]

You could definitely achieve the nescessary colour using Adobe Photoshop but be warned that it will involve some very heavy editing, masking, colour processing, channel mixing, and gamma correcting. If you have a calibrated monitor then go ahead and mask each of the elements out and work with them to the saturation and cast you desire.

[Frog]

I don't know why anyone would want such artificial looking colors, but to each his own.

[Jay Slean]

For the same reason I painted my 1956 Buick coral, black and white, 'cause it looks really bitchen! You don't see color like that any more, you just see what someone else has decided what is normal for everyone else to think. Granted, it was "the look" way back when, but now it's gone, like running boards or bucket headlights, which I like too.
Jaybird

[SmartWombat]

As it says in the image blurb: "Supersaturation was popular in the United States during that era; a fine example of the esthetics of its place and time."

[drg]

For the same reason I painted my 1956 Buick coral, black and white, 'cause it looks really bitchen! You don't see color like that any more, you just see what someone else has decided what is normal for everyone else to think. Granted, it was "the look" way back when, but now it's gone, like running boards or bucket headlights, which I like too.
Jaybird

You might want to check out the Photoshop User Awards and note that the style a type of color you refer to is still Very Relevant.

That Wikipedia photo I would bet is modern and has been processed with fairly standard Adobe Photoshop Tools.

New DSLR's ranging from the Fuji S5 or the various Canons (including your 40d) and Nikons are exploiting the desire for color enhancements with new in camera tools.

Actually you do see color like this quite a bit depending upon where you look and the marketing approach or artistic flavor desired.

Good luck and look forward to seeing what you come up with.