Old fashion pictures

[rbarker]

Numerous factors play into the "old look" of antique photos, I think. One of those factors, as has been noted, is the nature and quality of the lenses at the time. One way I've found to simulate part of that look is by placing difusion material over the camera lens.

Here's an example of using 1/4" bubble wrap (packing material) with a hole cut in it about 1/3 the diameter of the lens. It's a scan of a 4x5 Polaroid, toned in Photoshop, but the technique should work on 35mm, too. I just stretched the bubble wrap over the lens, and held it in place with a rubber band.

[Donald Miller]

Numerous factors play into the "old look" of antique photos, I think. One of those factors, as has been noted, is the nature and quality of the lenses at the time. One way I've found to simulate part of that look is by placing difusion material over the camera lens.

Here's an example of using 1/4" bubble wrap (packing material) with a hole cut in it about 1/3 the diameter of the lens. It's a scan of a 4x5 Polaroid, toned in Photoshop, but the technique should work on 35mm, too. I just stretched the bubble wrap over the lens, and held it in place with a rubber band.

I really like this effect. Thanks for sharing.

[Bob Carnie]

Morten

You may want to consider lith printing, If you try various papers the effects can be quite different.

[modafoto]

Numerous factors play into the "old look" of antique photos, I think. One of those factors, as has been noted, is the nature and quality of the lenses at the time. One way I've found to simulate part of that look is by placing difusion material over the camera lens.

Here's an example of using 1/4" bubble wrap (packing material) with a hole cut in it about 1/3 the diameter of the lens. It's a scan of a 4x5 Polaroid, toned in Photoshop, but the technique should work on 35mm, too. I just stretched the bubble wrap over the lens, and held it in place with a rubber band.

I'll try this...can't get any cheaper

[modafoto]

Morten

You may want to consider lith printing, If you try various papers the effects can be quite different.

I know very little 'bout lith printing, but will start to dig into it soon.

[rjr]

Morten,

"Thanks. I bought a couple of rolls of Foma in Prague earlier this year. 100, 200 and 400."

Ah - Foma Shop or Foto Skoda? Love them both, but Foma Shop is cheaper.... and Foto Skoda is a cool museum and has the best prices on Agfa papers I have ever seen.

The Fomapan 100 is very similar to APX100, T200 is a flat crystal film with a modern look and characteristics.

[Dorothy Blum Cooper]

Ralph...wonderful image! I'm so glad you posted a 'visual'. Love the 'look'.

[rbarker]

Thanks, Dorothy.

[mfobrien]

Wait... you didn't specify if we should use bubble wrap that came with a Hasselblad or bubble wrap that came with a Holga...is the 'blad wrap sharper?

[fingel]

The older cameras can be very sharp, this shot was with a Kodak No. 1 Pocket camera. 6x9 on 120 with a single element uncoated lens. It was my grandfathers camera back in the 30's. I believe that I used Tri-x for this shot.