Historic Mount Rainier

Gallery: LandscapePosted January 7, 2011270 views12 comments

This was taken "way back when" from the Tacoma Community College Campus of all places. The original image comes from a Kodak Instamatic point-and-shoot with 110 film. What you see here is a scan of an enlargement of that photo, which I then converted to b/w and added some filters to help with clarity and definition. My intent was to keep the very grainy and soft look overall for a more artistic interpretation.

What do you think? I appreciate your comments.

Comments

12 comments

Comment posted by Guy Tal on January 7, 2011 at 7:41 AM

Very interesting look. Almost like a B&W watercolor, if that makes any sense. I like it.
Maybe now that the Holga novelty is tapering off, you can start a new 110 film revolution

Guy

Registered on November 1, 2003, 566 Posts, 15507 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Duval on January 7, 2011 at 8:14 AM

Catherine,

It's been a long time since I went to the "Space Needle" with my family but I remember shooting with an Instamatic and 110 film. I was just a lad, but Mt. Rainer dominates the skyline in the Seattle area. Your goal of an artistic interpretation was certainly fulfilled in fact it's very early "Ansel" like with the painterly look and slightly soft focus. This was before his breaking away from the artsy "soft focus" look of the early 20th century and formed f/64 with several other photographers. This is not criticism but rather a reflection on the journey photography has taken over the decades, and I believe your interpretation of the image has captured that time period excellently.

Paul

Registered on June 30, 2009, 508 Posts, 1907 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Richter on January 7, 2011 at 9:09 AM

You show us once more that expressive shots are even possible with simple equipment. Most important is the way of looking at things, this fact will never change. Thanks for sharing!

Peter

Registered on November 10, 2010, 218 Posts, 2723 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Sieren on January 7, 2011 at 1:38 PM

I do love the artistic feel you've got here.

Registered on January 2, 2008, 360 Posts, 5321 Comments

Comment posted by Dietrich Gloger on January 7, 2011 at 2:00 PM

This looks really interesting. As much as I dig the look, I like the majesty and imposing power of the mountain. Creative work Catherine!

Registered on January 26, 2007, 360 Posts, 9876 Comments

Comment posted by Chris Chamberlain on January 7, 2011 at 9:14 PM

Hi,
I was going to comment on the softness, and grain/noise. But after reading your text, I'd say it looks just fine!

I agree with the b&w watercolor comparison.

Chris

Registered on March 13, 2007, 500 Posts, 8365 Comments

Comment posted by Angela Classen on January 8, 2011 at 3:37 PM

Great composition. I like what you did and the artistic interpretation. Just goes to show it's not the equipment that makes the photograph!

Registered on June 13, 2007, 434 Posts, 2742 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on January 8, 2011 at 4:43 PM

Catherine,

Honestly, when I first opened this I thought, who would post something like this? It's soft, almost grainy, the compression on this is killing it, etc. etc...... THEN, I read your comments. Whew, I thought for a second you had taken a step or two back.... wait, you did step back - it time! And I think you were very successful in creating a "historical" look at this beast of a mountain. Very creative in scanning an old print like this and I think your treatment works very well.

I can only add/suggest that perhaps a slight hint of sepia toning might even bring a more historical, 19th century look.

Lon

Registered on November 24, 2006, 521 Posts, 19147 Comments

Comment posted by David Bostock on January 8, 2011 at 5:25 PM

Registered on November 1, 2003, 90 Posts, 2778 Comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on January 8, 2011 at 5:49 PM

Very old school.

I like it!

Registered on May 7, 2007, 670 Posts, 19650 Comments

Comment posted by Anil Rao on January 9, 2011 at 1:58 PM

What a beautiful rendition of this mountain. The composition is simple, yet effective. The presentation is quaint and in my opinion that adds a lot to the overall effect. Very nice, Catherine.

Registered on November 15, 2003, 234 Posts, 4923 Comments

Comment posted by Michael R Reynolds on January 9, 2011 at 3:25 PM

Catherine,
The image is soft, but I think it works well for what you intended. I like the composition and the dark FG. Best Regards.

Registered on February 26, 2008, 54 Posts, 812 Comments