crazy colors of the 80's

[pierods]

how did they do the crazy colors back then?

Like this:

http://www.ericmeola.com/bioimages/fire_eater.jpg


Not even Kodak Ultra Color does this.

Was it all post-processing? What were the color films back then? Not portra and velvia I suppose....

 

[Ole]

That looks like lighting and filters to me...

 

[glbeas]

That image looks like it was done mainly with lighting, shot on chrome film for the contrast. Takes a lot more skill than doing it digitally I think.

 

[PHOTOTONE]

Lets not rule out makeup on the model, in addition to lighting effects.

 

[Photo Engineer]

It probably used uv lighting and fluorescent materials to assist in the colors.

PE

 

[nworth]

There is a technique called posterization that was used extensively during that period. It involved making separations and derivations on Kodalith (and sometimes continuous tone) film and then combining them in creative ways with filters in color printing. Masking of the sort used in motion picture special effects was also an important part of the process. The example photo could very well be a product of this kind of manipulation.

 

[Photo Engineer]

Yes, Kodak published a book on these techniques and there are several other texts on it as well.

PE

 

[pierods]

thanks for the answers.

 

[Ole]

Of course it's quite possible that he would tell you if you were to ask him - there's contact info on the website.

 

[pierods]

Of course it's quite possible that he would tell you if you were to ask him - there's contact info on the website.

I have!

He confirmed all the hypothesis in the thread.

 

[jd callow]

which ones?

 

[Photo Engineer]

I have!

He confirmed all the hypothesis in the thread.

If you knew, why ask us?



PE

 

[Aurum]

Now to recreate the picture, we just need an attractive young lady, a swimming pool, and some lipstick.

I can lay my hands on some Lippy.

Any volunteers for the other two pre-requisites?

 

[Photo Engineer]

Does that "lippy" glow in the presence of UV?

PE

 

[pierods]

If you knew, why ask us?



PE

HE knew, not me, my friend.

I sent him a message and he said that everything we discussed in the thread applied.

Now, if you're asking if I wish it was me who knew, that's different...

 

[Photo Engineer]

Ahah, so he didn't (wouldn't) tell you specifically. Trade secrets?

PE

 

[realitysandwich]

also painting with light was very popular (or should I say as popular as it could be) in the 80s. To me it looks like someone shot it with a blue filter on a strobe then painted the lips red.

 

[pierods]

Ahah, so he didn't (wouldn't) tell you specifically. Trade secrets?

PE

a lot of gel on the strobes, careful makeup on the model.

 

[Aurum]

Does that "lippy" glow in the presence of UV?

PE

It can do if required. The glow in the dark cosmetics you can buy for Ahem your model to use, use the same optical brighteners as the box of tide on the top of the washing machine.
Its fun playing with that sort of chemistry. I wonder what would happen if you tried it in a photographic emulsion with a hint of that in? UV sensitivity through the roof one would suspect?

 

[TheDreadPirateRobins]

Agggh! The Queen of the Cobalt PEOPLE!

 

[Sparky]

seems we still have residue of the 80s hangover with the blue man group... why won't they just GO AWAY...????!!!!!

 

[AgX]

I wonder what would happen if you tried it [optical brightener] in a photographic emulsion with a hint of that in? UV sensitivity through the roof one would suspect?

This, the use of fluorescent agents, has been done.
Or at least been described and patented to achieve emulsions with higher UV sensitivity, which have to cope with the UV-absorbance of the gelatin.