rachellipe

Mae

1920s inspired portrait using Van Dyke process

1920s inspired portrait using Van Dyke process
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Canon EOS REBEL T3

settings

Aperture f/4.5 ISO 200 Shutter 1/10

upload_date

Nov, 2014

Views

261

Likes

Awards

Superb Composition

Absolute Masterpiece

Top Choice

Peer Award

Top Ranks

Top 20 rank

Top 10 rank week 2

Top 10 rank week 1

Top 10 rank

Top 20 rank week 1

Behind The Lens

Location

This is a self-portrait I took in the kitchen of my apartment. I love vintage-inspired photography and my goal for this photo was to make it look like an authentic portrait from the late 1920s. My favorite actress is Clara Bow, so I styled my hair and makeup with her in mind.

Time

I took this photo in the evening after work. It was for a school project; we had to take a self-portrait that reflected who we are as a person. I chose the vintage theme because silent films are my passion, and I love the clothing and style of the 1920s.

Lighting

I tried to match the intimate-feeling early film star portraits of Nikolas Murray.

Equipment

Canon Rebel T3 with standard lens, tripod, remote shutter. I printed a negative on pictorico paper and put it through the darkroom chemicals on watercolor paper using VanDyke chemicals, and then took it outside under the sun to develop it.

Inspiration

I love the flapper era, so I wanted to make myself look like some of my favorite silent film stars. I get a lot of inspiration from the '20s and '30s, especially from the films of that era. This was a school project, and since the Van Dyke process makes your photos have that old look to them, I thought a flapper-esque self portrait would be perfect for it.

Editing

I didn't do much post-processing. I had to scan it in since it was done in the darkroom, and then i just darkened it a bit in photoshop to make the brown color more accurate and true to the original.

In my camera bag

I have my standard lens, a remote shutter, and an extra battery. I don't like to take a lot with me because I feel like I'll be more likely to capture a unique moment if I'm not weighed down and struggling with a bunch of equipment.

Feedback

Really study the photos from past portrait photographers, and the clothing & makeup of the era. Look at film stars' poses in their photos. It helps to know your history.

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rachellipe

rachellipe

Mae

1920s inspired portrait using Van Dyke process

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow rachellipe

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