Critiques - - photo from 1920s

imann08 · #1 12-02-2006, 03:20 AM

I've basically got two areas that I think may be less than perfect. The first is I don't know if the redone frame is too perfect. Second, I think that the shirt may be too white and the face and hair highlights too bright. Other than that, I think it turned out pretty decent. I was actually surprised I was able to get that seal out in one piece without bringing along the dirt and other damage with it. I basically just cleaned up the area around the seal and placed it on top of the background. I then used the apply image to bring the background up to replace the lighter areas around the seal. Don't know if that was obvious or not. Anyways, take a look and rip away.

zganie · #2 12-02-2006, 06:09 AM

imann,one thing you might want to remember is that most of these early photographs, do not have true blacks or whites and the highlights are usually mudded up a bit.

CathyH · #3 12-02-2006, 06:40 AM

I think it is very well done.
Is the boarder a card? If so then you might want to add some depth to the boarder. I think it would look like it was a separte piece. and maybe put back in some of grain.

The white shirt is too strong also.

soleah · #4 12-02-2006, 08:50 AM

Good job Imann.

The background shows some pattern in it. You might want to make it less uniform. Like you, I also thought that the frame is a little too perfect.

Kraellin · #5 12-04-2006, 01:18 PM

very nicely done! i think most anyone would be pleased with your results.

however, we're not anyone

so, with a bit of nitpicking, i'd darken the white shirt also, maybe with som of that sepia tone. i also like the idea of adding a bit of depth to the border, at least on the inner edges. and one thing the others didnt mention is his hair. on the camera left side of his hair, the edge looks a bit too crisp, as if the body was extracted and pasted onto the background. a little softening of that edge might be good. you rarely ever see such a crisp edge like that in a 'natural' photo. the original is pretty close to that also but it really stands out to me in your restore.

ok, enough nitpicking. i still stand by my original 'very nicely done!'. you could do nothing more and it would be quite acceptable in the marketplace. you reach a point where you're asking yourself, 'how good is good enough?'. well, you've reached it. if you wish to do more, then by all means take advantage of the critiques here, but just be aware that this IS good enough.

imann08 · #6 12-05-2006, 11:48 PM

Thanks to everyone for their critiques. It seems as though I already knew what was wrong with it before I put it on here. I wanted to see what others thought and if I was missing anything.

Kraelin. Good to see you again! It's been awhile since I've been on. As you know good enough is never good enough. LOL

Lasa · #7 12-06-2006, 06:59 AM

Yes I think the whites a little too white to go with the rest of the picture.
I also think that in the clean up the picture lost a little of its picture look.
I added a little noise..just my preference...(did do anything to the shirt)

Lasa

Kraellin · #8 12-06-2006, 09:01 AM

yup, welcome home, imann

well, i do know... all too well

but sometimes ya gotta just put the print in the mail and collect the check

i've also noticed that those not doing the work are usually far less obsessive and critical than those receiving it. still, i'd correct the shirt