Covered Bridge Taken Back to the Day

[SandeeWig]

I recently found this historical landmark on my way to a business meeting in southern Illinois. I was expecting to find something a little more, well, historical-looking, so I attempted to create what I had envisioned on my way to the site.

I would just like to say:
a. this is my first attempt - ever - at using Photoshop (CS2). YAY ME!
b. I could never have made the jump without having read and learned so much from all of the members on this forum. Thank you so much!!
c. I made a color version of the cropped original. You can see it here
d. I don't have the entire history of what I did, but I tried my best to remember the main things. I did a lot of doing/undoing until I got it where I wanted it, so I apologize for the lack of steps.

before - straight from camera.



"Historic" Covered Bridge (after) - converted to b/w then duotone layer to create a sepia-feel. Added canvas texture and vignette to give it more of a historic setting.



I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out for being my first PS project, but I'm really curious to know, what do you think? Did I even come close to the goal?

Thanks for looking!!

[SusanAshlea]

I think a bit more of a soft focus might have made it look a little "older"...a tiny bit. But I like it.

just out of curiosity, whereabouts in Southern Illinois? That is where I live...small world.

[private]

The vignette is a bit strong for my taste, but I like it

[SandeeWig]

Thank you, Susan and Pat, for your comments and feedback. I really appreciate it. Perhaps I'll play around with the focus and vignette and see what I can come up with.

Pat, when you say "harsh" do you mean it fades to dark too quickly? Or, is it too dark at the darkest point? (or both! )

Susan, I'm in Carbondale. Where are you?

[SusanAshlea]

Susan, I'm in Carbondale. Where are you?

I am in Herrin! Wow-it's really a small world, huh? Where did you find the covered bridge?

[SandeeWig]

Oh how funny! I was BORN there!!

The covered bridge is in Chester. It's a historical landmark off of Route 150 just outside of town.

[kbradley88]

That's a great change! It really appears to be a classic picture.

[SusanAshlea]

Originally Posted by SandeeWig

Oh how funny! I was BORN there!!

The covered bridge is in Chester. It's a historical landmark off of Route 150 just outside of town.

Ironically I was born in Carbondale. Did you grow up in Herrin?

If you like covered bridges, there is a festival in Parke County, Indiana going on right now through Sunday. There are something like 32 covered bridges in the county. It's super easy to get to one of them too. It's so beautiful up there as well, I have taken a few neat images over the past few years.

[Digidave]

The vignette should be a little bit less & not quite as dark. It's bit stark(Stands out a bit to much). It should have a softer feel to it to make the photo look old & authentic.

[SandeeWig]

SusanAshlea - Well, I "grew up" to the ripe age of 8 in Herrin, then moved to southeast MO (Cape), which is where I did most of my growing.

Thanks for the heads up about the festival in Indiana. I have an 18 month old, so unfortunately do not get to pick up and go as easily as I would like sometimes. Perhaps with a little planning I could make it next year. I'm sure it's quite beautiful there too right about now.

DigiDave - thanks for your feedback. I am going to play with that vignette tonite and see if I can't tone it down a bit. I was just so excited that I got it to work that once it was there, i just went with it!!

kbradley88 - thank you so much for your kind words.