7 replies to this topic

[gdvanc]

Similar to the "Compare new and old Photos" thread - but with a twist. And not from Fort Worth.

Buzz Feed: 75 Awesome “Looking Into The Past” Pictures

[bburton]

A most entertaining and enthralling site. Thanks for the link.

[John S.]

That is SO cool! Wish the photos would start with the historic versions then gradually fade away into the modern. This is certainly an important historic preservation tool. Of course, in some steetscapes, nothing old would be visible in the modern views so complete has the transformation been over the years. Other places would look essentially unchanged but those are quite rare. Thanks for the link.

[Brian Luenser]

Thanks gdvanc. I agree with John S. and BBurton, this was a most entertaining site.

It is funny when you see a great idea and you think, surely I could have come up with that idea. But I didn't. Could be this technique has been around for a hundred years but it is the first I have seen of it.

I decided I was going to try to duplicate the technique. Turns out, it is MUCH harder than it looks. Harder than the before and after thread on this Forum. You not only have to match the apparent focal length, but distance, and exposure differential between the actual image and your photo. I quickly found out none of my shots were any good, primarily because the old photo was dark and then the background was washed out. Should have shot in RAW but didn't. I have a lot to learn here but I am going to try to perfect this style. (Before Phil Phillips kicks my hiney at my game) Phil absolutely MASTERED the before and after photos. I never could catch up. anyway, these don't have to be perfect to be interesting. (at least to me.) I set out today with a dozen great old pictures to work with and then laughed when I figured out it will take a weekend to do one really well. Have to plan the lighting mostly. And next time I am going to bring a flash to lighten up my old photo. Sometimes I get my wife to hold my LED bar at a distance for just a little bit of light. (but would need to bribe her with a dinner out or exotic iced drink.) Take a look at my first attempts...

[ramjet]

Holy digital DSLR, Batman! Those pics rock. Thanks for trying. Love, love, love them. I'll try down here in the capital...

[Brian Luenser]

Thanks Ram Man. This is getting fun. You should give it a try down in our Capital.

I think I am going to move my new ones to a thread that has already gone in this "Zip Code". It is the Compare old and New thread. I am about to post 5 new ones from tonight. Take a peak in that thread!

[gdvanc]

Someone at work shared a similar set of old+new photos from a site called Dear Photograph; on this one, though, the photographer includes a short caption that can add something personal to the whole thing:

http://dearphotograph.com/


Brian, the shots you took around the Fort are awesome, by the way.

[Volare]

That site is awesome!!!