Portrait of a Knight

History Alive, Fort Lytton, Qld.

Another from the makeshift "studio" at Fort Lytton utilising available light to recreate the look of old paintings. I've gone a bit further down the painted look on this one, not sure if I've gone too far, or not far enough. I have another without the paint brush effects on the face, giving a sharper picture, but in looking at photographs of old paintings, sharpness isn't something that comes across as an attribute of them.

View all photos taken: Sunday, 13th June 2010, This photo: 12:24pm

Next Photo: French Infantry

Comments

  • CreativeDirections said:
    Excellent work. Well exposed, great detail and the painted effect works well too.
  • Cobra_11 said:
    Absolutely brilliant! Great processing! The photo takes you right back to the days of chivalry... Well done!
  • Phil Rettke Photography said:
    Very cool David, processing suits well!
  • Out_and_About said:
    This is perfect! Well worth a view at the larger size Dave.
  • frednaut said:
    I think this looks fantastic
  • David de Groot said:
    Thanks :) The original photo was pretty good on it's own too.
    Thanks! Some great subjects at these events.
    Thanks Phil :)
    Definitely Michelle - although it's really tough taking a very sharp shot and trying to dull it down to look painted, esp. since sharpness is something the 5DII and L lenses do so well.
    Thanks Geoff. Possibly not as painterly as an actual painted portrait, but the general idea is there. I have another I may post later than I think works even better.
  • looby88 said:
    How would it look if the red was less red ?
    When paintings were painted they were not black etc around the edges, it makes me laugh when I see portraits in period dramas and they are black- I'm not sure how long it would take for smoke etc to do its worst having said that . I think tone the whole thing down perhaps, red is a fugitive colour if you want it too look old. If you dont- leave it as it is, depends what you are after I guess
  • David de Groot said:
    You're right of course. I've done a few since with toned down colours and they're much improved. The edges, well, I'll need to hunt down some different textures as all the ones I have are dark on the edges.
  • looby88 said:
    well if it was old it would be dark around the edges, well darkened all over, if it was a newly painted portrait it would be set in a guilt frame most likely ! Not sure when oil portraits were first painted, 500 years ago ? You get used to them staring down at you whenever you visit a National Trust property. I had to study this sort of thing back at art college, not that I enjoyed ' history of art ', and its eons ago anyway.
    I look forward to seeing the later versions, and thanks for being so gracious : ) I certainly never intend to be critical in a nasty way and I cant do fancy editing to save my life !
  • David de Groot said:
    Ah see I never paid much attention in art classes at school, and definitely didn't go on to art at college level. There is of course a very good argument for looking into these things (and I most likely will), but I think one shouldn't get too hooked up on it either for fear of stifling your innate creativity with what is considered "proper art".
  • looby88 said:
    couldnt agree more, I like art that challenges peoples ideas, I can see art where my family cannot, and I more often than not understand where an artist is coming from even with some whacky stuff like a preserved sheep !
    I just dont do arty with my photos- there I like to capture something as realistically as possible, in theory I shall take up painting again, my photos were originally for reference. I doubt if I shall paint again though !
    Interesting how differently people view things and how creative people can be, good stuff : )
  • David de Groot said:
    Indeed! It'd be a boring place if we all did the same thing ;-)
  • S Bavido said:
    Great portrait, and neat bit of history to go with it!
  • David de Groot said:
    [http://www.flickr.com/photos/sbavido] Thanks. 'twas an enjoyable day too.
  • Snapping Platypus said:
    Good portrait.