I wasn't sure what I should share on this Friday post; I have lots of scans to choose from, but not a lot of those are worthy of a Friday (when I at least try to share slightly better stuff)! So I decided to pick a pair of restored images, since those turned out pretty well.
We've seen plenty of photos of the old Burning Settler's Cabin on Tom Sawyer Island, one of those features that demonstrate the "hard facts" of life on the Frontier. As you can see, this slide (and all of the other slides in this batch) is very faded - they are dreaded Anscochrome slides, and are awful! What a shock to learn that they were eventually acquired by GAF (also horrible).
Say! That's much better! Thanks to the miracle of Photoshop; all of our woes are gone, and what's left is happiness and a pleasant vanilla aroma. I wonder if the natural gas that fueled the fire had an additive to make it more visible in daylight? Probably not. That poor settler had worked so hard, but he ran with scissors, and this is what happened.
Next is this washed-out view from the passageway through Sleeping Beauty Castle. As if it was the smoggiest day ever.
Much better! I guess the little family in front of us just arrived, even though the sun was setting? "We'll allow 2 hours at Disneyland, I have to be home for the big game between the Denver Monkeys and the Rhode Island Tardigrades". He'll be rooting for the Fighting Moss Piglets. The transition from the dark tunnel into the spaciousness, color, and light of Fantasyland is an old architecture trick ("compression and release"), used by old architects.
Major-
ReplyDeleteWhat a difference a Photoshop makes-! These images both look wonderful - even the power poles in image #1 are all-a-twitter.
Thanks, Major, for manipulating the magic dials of color goodness.
That sign off to the right in the 2nd image states:
DeleteTICKET BOOK HOLDERS
Tear out and present coupon to operator.
TICKETS MUST BE PURCHASED AT Fantasyland CENTRAL TICKET BOOTHS.
I can't read the text in the red section at the bottom of the sign.
Wow, from 'super nova' to the 'goldilocks zone' (just right). Amazing! The first, unadjusted image looks like things did after the Mt. St. Helens eruption; everything coated with a fine layer of white ash.
ReplyDeleteIs Carl Arrowshirt on fire? It's bad enough that he tripped and impaled himself with his scissors, but then to go up in flames! Maybe it's 'blood'? Or is he using his red shirt as a pillow? This is probably the best view of the Burning Cabin we've seen! I'm a gonna keep it.
"an old architecture trick ("compression and release"), used by old architects". Those old architects knew what they were doing! Wonderful transformation. I'm looking at the stone floor tiles, as one does, and I don't see any repeating pattern. I suppose they aren't really tiles at all, but just grout lines pressed into wet cement to look like tiles?
I always like, and appreciate, these 'before & after' posts. Thanks, Major.
In the first pic, we can see the settler's crop of corn or wheat, or whatever that is that's been tied together in upright bundles. I wonder how long those were there? Also, it looks like the settler's head is turned towards us, instead of looking upward. I don't remember seeing him in that position before. Or is he face down? If that's the case, then he's in position to ride the Horse-Drawn Streetcar!
ReplyDelete.........is an old architecture trick ("compression and release"), used by old architects
Major, it's also used by health care professionals to stop bleeding! ;-)
You did a good job on these, Major! Thank you!
I am an old architect, and I approve of this post.
ReplyDeleteExcellent restoration work, Major, right down to the floral scent. Thank you!
Re yesterday’s discussion of Disney gift bag patterned shirts. Obviously none of those merchandise people have ever been to Hawaii, where men wearing brightly colored patterned shirts are everywhere.
JG
Nanook, thanks, it’s fun when I can restore some faded or discolored slides back to something close to their original glory.
ReplyDeleteNanook, wow, you must have eaten your irriadiated carrots today.
JB, your comment reminded me (weirdly) of something from the other day, I found a pair of my dad’s shoes under his old bed, and thought that they were a nice gray suede. But they were just so dusty that they looked like suede - they were in fact black, shiny loafers. I hope Carl Arrowshirt is not on fire, talk about one more indignity. Not sure why there is something that looks like a red pillow. Watching that great documentary, “Disneyland Handcrafted”, you can watch craftsmen creating fake bricks on Main Street, and I’m sure the flagstones in Fantasyland were done in a similar manner.
TokyoMagic!, yeah I always liked seeing the settler’s crops. Are those “sheaves”? As in the hymn, “Bringing in the sheaves”? You know how much I love to sing old folk hymns. The settler was originally facing skyward, but as the photographer aimed, the head slowly turned toward him. And then it screamed. TRUE STORY.
JG, thanks, in a weird way I almost like having slides like this, the challenge to restore them can be fun. Or frustrating, if it doesn’t work. I’d say my success rate is around 60%. And good point about Hawaiian shirts. Plus I see people wearing things at Disneyland that they would probably never wear anyplace else. My mom bought a Goofy hat, and it was such a shock. Normally I would expect her to say that it was a waste of money.
Nicely done, Major! I can almost smell the smoldering concrete.
ReplyDeleteJB, the flagstone patterns don't repeat, but they do mirror each other for a stone or two on either side of the straight line through the middle of the walkway. How odd (not you, the stones).
TM!, the "compression" part, yes. The "release" part you only do after the bleeding stops. Or the patient signs their discharge papers.
JG, I was anticipating your response. You did not disappoint.
Chuck, I endeavor to give satisfaction. “Doffs cap, makes sweeping bow”.
ReplyDeleteJG