― Architecture Showcase ⇒ Old Western Town

[rmalarz]

Faux Collodion Process Print

[LindaShorey]

Very eye-catching, Bob. I like it a lot.

[rmalarz]

Thanks, Linda.
--Bob

[minniev]

Faux Collodion Process Print

That's very cool Bob, and very authentic looking. If you feel so inclined, some of us would like to know what you're doing here in your processing, and with what.

I do a lot a "play" that sometimes drifts into these antique processes, though not as effectively as you do. The toning and texture you're working with are fascinating.

[rmalarz]

Minnie, the overall is that, in this case, I took a scanned 4x5 black and white negative, sharpened it additionally, tinted it sepia, and then copied the background layer. On the copied layer, I added a blur, which was then masked and parts of the blurred area were masked out. Then two additional layers were added. One emulates the texture of the film or plate, the other layer emulates the scratches on the plate. The various layers are adjusted for opacity until the appearance closely resembles a collodion image.

It takes some examination of genuine collodion images to get a feel for the way the camera produces the image and then how the collodion process is applied to the plates and processed after exposure. All in all, it's a fun process to produce the same effect in photoshop. I hope this gave you an overall idea of the procedure involved.

[Psjunkie]

Well explained Bob, thank you...and interesting image..

[davechinn]

Faux Collodion Process Print

Bob, even though I'm not fully familiar with the process, I do like the results. I have in the past simulated a similar style without knowledge of there being a name for it. I have to say, I learned something new. As far as your image, I like the old western town, which encourages me to seek out such sites. Thanks for the info and sharing of this fabulous image.
Dave

[rmalarz]

Dave, thanks for the comments. Like the real thing, the process in PS is a bit challenging, but still easy. It's easier than the real thing. To familiarize yourself with the process, do a search on collodion and daguerreotype. The actual process is quite interesting, as well as a bit dangerous. There are some youtube videos covering the real process.
--Bob

[rmalarz]

Thanks, Psjunkie. I appreciate your taking a look and commenting.
--Bob

[Charles Haacker]

Dave, thanks for the comments. Like the real thing, the process in PS is a bit challenging, but still easy. It's easier than the real thing. To familiarize yourself with the process, do a search on collodion and daguerreotype. The actual process is quite interesting, as well as a bit dangerous. There are some youtube videos covering the real process.
--Bob

I searched for both the original and the faux processes. Boy what a lotta work, huh, either way. And we used to worry about the health effects of ordinary B&W photo chemicals (and to this day I love the tang of hypo in the air, takes me home). I bet you know that the character of the "Mad" Hatter came about because hatmakers used mercury in the making of felts. Daguerre's process used mercury vapor to develop his plates. No wonder all photographers are a little crazy.