Autochrome Lumiere - San Francisco Bay Area

Photo Engineer · Feb 19, 2011

Seriously though, I suggest that you use Friedman's method of determining the size of a screen for such materials. There is a limit to screen size and emulsion grain size both, as you must be able to cover several grains with one element of the screen IIRC. You cannot have a grain larger than the screen element.

I use screen in the sense of the tricolor filter screen needed for separation.

PE

holmburgers · Feb 21, 2011

I'd love to hear from Mssr. Greencat (OP), wouldn't you guys?

PE, I'm glad you mentioned that the Lumiere's were first and foremost, master emulsion makers. Did they have some of the earliest, fastest dry plates? There's a picture of Auguste jumping in mid-air to demonstrate their speed... Umut, you'll recall this, eh?

On the topic of 8mm screen-plate photographs; I am curious what an incredibly coarse grained Autochrome would look like. It certainly wouldn't be realistic color, but the b&w image behind it would be continuous, but with broad, obvious & strange patches of different color.

Maybe I'll take a macro shot of a TV for my next screen!

Photo Engineer · Feb 21, 2011

Look at Kodak's first lenticular colored MP results.

Pretty awful.

PE

holmburgers · Feb 21, 2011

One man's awful is another man's modern art... just ask Duchamp!

Here's a cool film... with footage of F.E. Ives no less (I'm a big fan). The color starts about 1:30..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osqjdVZDxCg

I'm reasonably impressed honestly. I think that to pretend like we're going to get uber-realistic, natural and perfect color from screen-plate and other early techniques is not the point of our interest. I think that by seeing today in yesterday's processes, it makes us aware that then was really a lot like it is now.

People are well aware that the past was not black & white, but to imagine the past in color is difficult. These early color processes get us a little closer.

Photo Engineer · Feb 21, 2011

I'm not unaware of that viewpoint. I merely point it out.

PE

holmburgers · Feb 21, 2011

I know, I didn't mean to sound contrary.

Photo Engineer · Feb 21, 2011

You didn't. I can understand your POV, but many who are used to modern films would reject some of this older stuff out of hand.

PE

holmburgers · Feb 21, 2011

Agreed. And if these are the only things we had, I'd be itching for something better. But we're pretty well spoiled today.

Autochrome Lumiere - San Francisco Bay Area

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