Lauren Heerschap
March 2023 - Underwood
About the Image(s)
ISO 3200, 21mm, f8.0. I shot this in an antique shop. I ran it through Silver Efex Pro and photoshop. It is part of an antique series that are conversation starters for a retirement home gallery.
7 comments posted
I love those old typewriters. Could you post the original?
A wider crop would show more of the position of the instrument among the surrounding antiques. Another presentation could be created by removing all the surrounding "stuff" - except those wonderful cleaning brushes by selection. Then I might try a high contrast version in which the typewriter appears to be floating in from the past by sharpening it, increasing the vibrance, and changing the background to a white space or by adding a white blurred vignette. I would start with Silver Efex Pro's interesting filters for this look. Posted: 03/09/2023 13:27:23
A wider crop would show more of the position of the instrument among the surrounding antiques. Another presentation could be created by removing all the surrounding "stuff" - except those wonderful cleaning brushes by selection. Then I might try a high contrast version in which the typewriter appears to be floating in from the past by sharpening it, increasing the vibrance, and changing the background to a white space or by adding a white blurred vignette. I would start with Silver Efex Pro's interesting filters for this look. Posted: 03/09/2023 13:27:23
Hi Lauren, What a great idea of a photo exhibit of old stuff for a senior venue! I'm going to 'steal' that idea for the senior center where I'm on the Board.
I agree with Judith that the image needs to be wider with less of the table below. Remember that the carriage section moves horizontally so we need to see space for it to 'move' into on the right and left. Another, possibly dreamy, interpretation would be to use a portrait lens like Lensbaby Velvet for this series. The typewriter could also be imaged at a wide aperture (f/2 or f/2.8) focused on the keys or the Underwood name on the front panel to give the impression of seeing through the not so sharp eyes (like mine) of old age. Maybe add a 10-25% sepia/brown color via Hue/Saturation-Colorize.
Great idea for a series. I can't wait to see more. Karl Posted: 03/10/2023 10:05:40
I agree with Judith that the image needs to be wider with less of the table below. Remember that the carriage section moves horizontally so we need to see space for it to 'move' into on the right and left. Another, possibly dreamy, interpretation would be to use a portrait lens like Lensbaby Velvet for this series. The typewriter could also be imaged at a wide aperture (f/2 or f/2.8) focused on the keys or the Underwood name on the front panel to give the impression of seeing through the not so sharp eyes (like mine) of old age. Maybe add a 10-25% sepia/brown color via Hue/Saturation-Colorize.
Great idea for a series. I can't wait to see more. Karl Posted: 03/10/2023 10:05:40
OOoooh...I like these suggestions... we are going on a trip soon, and I will try to find time to post the original...but thanks for the ideas, and Karl I might try a lensbaby for this project. Feel free to steal the idea for a senior project. I have shown these photos to our print night at camera club, and found them to initiate all kinds of discussions...Karl, also a photo of a telephone booth, old phone, etc. Posted: 03/11/2023 10:35:38
Hi Lauren_ I don't want to make the same error I made in my comment on your cash register last month. Lisa Langell gave a presentation to my CC last week and made a pithy comment that is applicable here: "Where is your image going to live." Since you have stated your plan. I think that your image will be a valuable addition to the collection. Posted: 03/12/2023 20:04:40
No worries, pithy comments are constructive too. Posted: 03/13/2023 13:17:37
Yes, a great continuation of your series for a retirement home...what a lovely idea. I agree that a lensbaby would add an extra dimension of interest to the image, and/or to other images in the series. The old folks will find lots to talk about with images like these, and might become quite animated. Posted: 03/16/2023 22:19:32
Lauren
This series of "antique" objects (I used one quite like this at my father's office) continues to be a pleasure.
To my eyes this image does not look quite as sharp as last month's. You did not mention the speed, but I suspect it is falling beyond what the human hand can sustain. If a tripod is impractical, you might consider a monopod which adds stability particularly if braced against a table. Another possibility would be along the lines Karl suggest of focussing on detail, but doing so with a hand-held light (I'm thinking of an LED the size of a couple of credit cards). With this you might illuminate small features like the keys or the letters on the striking arm: not the whole object but the essence of the object - but if strongly lit, it might be easier to retain crispness within the poor lighting of the shop. Posted: 03/17/2023 20:33:27
This series of "antique" objects (I used one quite like this at my father's office) continues to be a pleasure.
To my eyes this image does not look quite as sharp as last month's. You did not mention the speed, but I suspect it is falling beyond what the human hand can sustain. If a tripod is impractical, you might consider a monopod which adds stability particularly if braced against a table. Another possibility would be along the lines Karl suggest of focussing on detail, but doing so with a hand-held light (I'm thinking of an LED the size of a couple of credit cards). With this you might illuminate small features like the keys or the letters on the striking arm: not the whole object but the essence of the object - but if strongly lit, it might be easier to retain crispness within the poor lighting of the shop. Posted: 03/17/2023 20:33:27