Thursday, December 27, 2018

Rescans

In the past I've scanned some slides that didn't turn out too good. Either my scanner was bad at the time (the first one was a real piece of junk, I realized), or I just didn't know what I was doing in Photoshop. Both of today's images are from 1958, from slides that had turned very red.

So, here we go, with a look at a 2006 scan. It's a cute image of kids on the Pack Mules - the little girl waving at us is adorable! - but man, are the colors weird.


Here's my latest attempt, and I think it looks a lot better. It's not perfect, but I don't need perfection! I've eliminated most of that cyan cast to the buildings, and evened out some of the colors (like the blue sky). The little boy to the far left loves his trusty mule, and wonders if he can bring him home.


This next one is from the same batch, but (for some reason) it didn't appear on GDB until 2007. This attempt at color-correction resulted in some strange yellow color casts, and shadows that went very dark. It's not too terrible though.


There, I've lightened it up a bit, especially the trees. The Red Shirt to our right now has a proper red shirt! I'm always happy to see the mine trains when they were still a dark green. The difference between this one and the old version is not quite as dramatic, but I'm still glad I made the effort.


8 comments:

Nanook said...

Major-

Nice work, as per usual-! I think I'm gonna get myself a mule.

Thanks, Major.

Melissa said...

Great rescanning! The colors look so fresh and bright!

What was it, Cute Kid Day at Disneyland? Not an uggo in the bunch today. How does li'l Curly Sue there keep those long ringlets in place while riding a pack mule?

I got a mule and her name is Gail,
Fifteen miles on the Disneyland trail.
She's a good old worker and she works for scale,
Fifteen miles on the Disneyland trail.

DrGoat said...

Nice job Major. Those pics are wonderful. That little girl definitely has a crush on someone up ahead, and she's got a great 50s hairstyle going on. My sister looked just like that back then Melissa. That hair stasis thing was a secret I was not privy too, or wanted to be.

Major Pepperidge said...

Nanook, be sure to get one that speaks with the voice of Chill Wills!

Melissa, well, they look better anyway, and that’s all I can hope for. I agree, these kids are all ready for prime time. Ah, that “Erie Canal” song, one of the standards in our music class (along with “Michael, Row Your Boat Ashore” and “Puff, The Magic Dragon”).

DrGoat, thanks. “Hair stasis”, so scientific! Maybe there was a “hair zeitgeist”? You know that mom worked on that sausage curl, it was very important to her!

Nanook said...

@ Melissa-
Our ‘lil Curly Sue was an early adopter of hair extensions. Also... DeWitt Clinton thanks you.

JC Shannon said...

Is that a kid's sandal in the wrangler's hand? Great job of bringing the photos back from the dead. I really like the original green Mine Train and of course Rainbow Ridge in all it's original glory. I am loving that red shirt with the suspenders. Want 'em. Thanks Major. I have a picture of me on the mules somewhere, maybe today I will find it.

Melissa said...

"Is that a kid's sandal in the wrangler's hand?"

It sure looks like it!

Tex: "...and this is all that's left of the last kid who didn't follow my directions on the mule ride."

Major Pepperidge said...

Nanook, not many people know that hair extensions were developed by NASA.

Jonathan, hm, now that you mention it, it DOES look like a sandal in Tex’s hand. What gives? Maybe it’s a cowboy superstition - “Sandal in hand, avoid quicksand”. Or something. If you find that picture of you on the mules, share it here! I can blur out your face if you are shy.

Melissa, YES, that kid didn’t keep his arms and legs inside his mule at all times!