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IMPROVE YOUR OLD PHOTOGRAPHS No.2

I cut out the major elements of the picture knowing I can always use the smudge tool to put them back together.

Using some color controls, I removed color from the grey. This had the effect of giving the picture tints of the opposite hues, without affecting the contrasts. In this I applied color theory regarding complements, while keeping the values bright. The reason for this is important. Later I talk about the theory of 'subtractive' color and how we use it in painting. The theory I use here is called 'addative color theory' and is commonly used in photography, film and computer imaging. Simply put, the spectrum hues combine to produce white light, and the removal of one leaves a predominance of the rest.

To produce the hues above I started with ovals of white. In the first I subtracted red, the second green and the third blue.This is how, what they call 'additive' color, works.

In this manner I applied hue to the hat and uniform, the face and the shirt.

Next I put them roughly back together.

This meant I had a raw figure on its own. I gave the cheeks and the bottom lip a little extra blush with a computer paintbrush. Next I searched for a background the might describe the nature of the war the man fought. I wanted stark, riveting but an atmospheric scene. I found what I wanted but it was tiny. This was not necessarily a disadvantage as I could repeat some facial and clothing hues in the top half of the background. I created the background then smudged again with my smudge brush.

So we went from this ... to ... wait! Two final toutches before cropping 1. Make the eyes come alive with a tiny reflection - my hand slipped a little with the second.... 2. A little highlight as well on the bottom lip.

Somehow I hope the man has come briefly alive, as all life surely passes as fast as a summer cloud shades a distant hillside. As does ours... so a mundane job can lead to distant thoughts and maybe a little humanity.