Back when color film was new, color photos had an odd color cast to them. Not oversaturated exactly, but just odd. I'd like to find some way to reproduce that effect, but so far I've had no luck. I just wondered if anyone had any ideas on how it might be done. I think it could come in useful now and then, and it certainly has a different kind of look.

I've never tried to reproduce this, but I can tell you the reason for the 'odd' color. When color film was first made commercially, it had nowhere near the rez it has today. Basically, every color was jammed into a very narrow-range emulsion. Add to that the fact that the faithfulness of the color reproduction was dodgy, and every batch of emulsion was different, and you got what you got. Photos were indeed unique, since you could never be sure of reproducing the same thing with a roll of film from another batch. When I started selling cameras in the 70s, Kodak used to give a code number to each batch, and professional photographers would buy 10 or 20 rolls to test a batch, then if they liked it, purchase huge quantities of that batch and store it. That way, they knew that for the next year or so, they would know what their results were going to look like. All of which may be fascinating, but doesn't help you in the least. Still, cutting down the color rez may be a good start. mac

to reproduce colour casting......try playing abt with the colour balance sliders. alternatively, put the image on a new layer and colorize it. then try various blending modes and opacities. also try adding noise or film grain to get that old film look. hope this helps. palash

you might just have to do the opposite of colour correctioon you have increase contrast amd give your photo a cast perhaps by hue and satuartion or a new layer... with an opace blending mmoodee of some sort... perhaps a real nice attempt of adjusting the levels...

Just FYI: While early color films did have a distinctive look to them, what you have posted here isn't a result of color film. It's hand-colored; this was an extremely popular medium in the early part of the century. Do a google search on "hand colored postcard" and you'll see a number of examples.

Yes, it's hand colored, but it has the same color cast as early color photos.

Hi Bone, not sure if you can get a "one-click" method like an action to give you the effect you want, but you can make a couple of copy layers of the image and "dodge" and "burn" them with the blend mode set. Also work with the "hue" and "saturation" settings.

I never tried to replicate the effect but you've intrigued me to give it a try...

Let's post the results with a side-by-side of the original.

:)
retrocity

I tryed using the color balance...basicly...you need to ad yellow and re to get that old movie look...if that is whan you ment...don't know....

well that's not bad