Confederate Gen. Joseph E. Johnston, C.S.A.

[Hurdurburdur]

Hello there,

And another coloring project got done. My first confederate soldier. Please tell me if I have the colors wrong.

This photograph is of Gen. Joseph E. Johnston, C.S.A.

View attachment 79788

 

[nitrofd]

You should check out zuzah.'s work as he has a site online.he is in sweden.

 

[Patrick H]

My Friend,
I can't comment on the uniform colors because I am no expert on those.

....However....

I AM a career art director, stretching back since before Photoshop was invented (for that matter, before the personal computer was invented!)

With that in mind, let me say that I think you have colorized Gen. Johnston's image in a very subtle and realistic way
and I like your approach very much! In my view, this sort of approach SHOULD be the preferred approach to projects of this nature.

Will others agree with you and me? I have no idea. I wouldn't bet on it. That's okay, too. I think a lot of viewers nowadays want to see powerful, unrealistic colors applied to these old grayscale photos. I have seen those kinds of images again and again on these threads--almost always drawing praise from the forum members.

In a way, that makes me sad. However, if that's what people want to see, then so be it.

I like your interpretation MUCH BETTER!

 

[civilwarincolor]

You should check out zuzah.'s work as he has a site online.he is in sweden.

Did Zuzah move??? Was just talking with him in Denmark this morning. Man things change around here...

 

[civilwarincolor]

Hello there,

And another coloring project got done. My first confederate soldier. Please tell me if I have the colors wrong.

This photograph is of Gen. Joseph E. Johnston, C.S.A.

View attachment 79788

I have done this image personally and it is not great due to the quality of the National Archives images. I would suggest a few things that might help.

1. If possible, use the images from the Library of Congress. The scan quality is much better
2. Use the largest image size available (even from the National Archives). Not sure if you saved this as a smaller copy, but I do know that it is available in a larger size.
3. Explore layering of color more. What you are doing is good, but the facial tones are a bit flat. I am mainly mentioning that with your other images in mind, this particular one is just a tough one to work with and has limited options.
4. Find examples of images online. Zuzah and I both keep a catalog of sample images as reference. Personally I have a few hundred between ones I have found online and ones I shot on location. Sample the actual uniform colors, etc. to get the right look. This Confederate one is good. Your Union uniforms could be a bit darker. The actual uniform is almost black.
5. Try something outside of the studio, Those images are great and easy to do, but you will learn more if you try an outdoor scene.
6. Ask questions, people willing to help here, you are always welcome to ask for feedback, suggestions, solutions, etc.

Hope this helps

 

[Hurdurburdur]

I have done this image personally and it is not great due to the quality of the National Archives images. I would suggest a few things that might help.

1. If possible, use the images from the Library of Congress. The scan quality is much better
2. Use the largest image size available (even from the National Archives). Not sure if you saved this as a smaller copy, but I do know that it is available in a larger size.
3. Explore layering of color more. What you are doing is good, but the facial tones are a bit flat. I am mainly mentioning that with your other images in mind, this particular one is just a tough one to work with and has limited options.
4. Find examples of images online. Zuzah and I both keep a catalog of sample images as reference. Personally I have a few hundred between ones I have found online and ones I shot on location. Sample the actual uniform colors, etc. to get the right look. This Confederate one is good. Your Union uniforms could be a bit darker. The actual uniform is almost black.
5. Try something outside of the studio, Those images are great and easy to do, but you will learn more if you try an outdoor scene.
6. Ask questions, people willing to help here, you are always welcome to ask for feedback, suggestions, solutions, etc.

Hope this helps

Thanks for the tips. I'm just starting to explore coloring black and white images.

I crop my images to 1000 px widt for this site. The actual image is 3 times bigger. I don't want to upload files that are too big.

 

[HardeeBoy]

I enjoys these, purely as a spectator. Imo, one can never get these "wrong" as it's impossible to ever know....That's a great thing..... it gives one a greater degree poetic/artistic license.

Lastly, I always appreciate when you folks include the original image.

 

[civilwarincolor]

I enjoys these, purely as a spectator. Imo, one can never get these "wrong" as it's impossible to ever know....That's a great thing..... it gives one a greater degree poetic/artistic license.

Lastly, I always appreciate when you folks include the original image.

I agree that it allows for artistic license, but there are things that are right or wrong when colorizing a period image of a historical figure. For example some of my early images I had Sherman with brown hair and had not researched that his hair was red (same with Laura Keene). It is possible to have liberty with ancillary items in the image such as civilian clothing, furniture, etc. but values that are known (IMO) should be researched and replicated as close as possible.

 

[gunny]

Personally, I love the idea of the four images as a piece of art in itself. I would pay good money for a large print of something like this. The three black and whites of differing shades and quality contrasting a colorful - yet antique image of a historical figure. I think the shade of the uniform is great, but many of these senior officer uniforms may have been tinted slightly more blueish as the cadet grey color was actually found. Great Job!