Desaturated Images: An Analysis of Style

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Top Cat

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Hello all. This is gonna be a bit different today. I've been noticing a lot of pictures with a sort of dreamy desaturated look to them, and I'm really keen to try it myself. Does this style have a term for it? Or a movement named after it, I don't know. I don't know anything, that's why I'm bringing it to this forum. :bonk:

I'm curious, how would you describe the effects taking place in these photos? (Is there more than one?)

Secondly, how would this be technically achieved? Is this something special to film (I certainly know my DLSR does not give photos like these. :p). And I'd assume there's several ways this is achieved.

Thirdly, what's your interpretation of this? For I do think it's a style, named or unamed, - as I've seen lot of photos like these; much like black and white is considered its own genre. Let the analysis and discussion begin. And feel free to bring up photographers who use this style also. :)




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Simon Perini: http://simplemachine.tumblr.com/

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Grace Coote: http://gracecoote.darkfolio.com/
 
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Brave post ;)

There is a name for it, but the polite one is probably something to do with a Holga camera, which is a very basic device remarkable for the fact that it works at all http://www.holgarama.com/?gclid=CPyty_KT_KsCFUNO4QodvhOKjg

I think one of the images above is a Polaroid, and the last one looks like it's been cross processed.
 
Interesting topic to raise. There are a few effects going on in these images including low contrast, low saturation, possibly some cross processing and some colour grading or washing. Not sure there is a specific name for the style, but since images that have a roughly similar feel are easy to produce in post processing it does seem to be growing in popularity.
 
I'd say the techniques used are:

1/ Bad over exposure
2/ Fading (age, strong light, perhaps)
3/ More fading (age, cheap processing, perhaps)
4/ Badly timed shot against the light + poor aperture selection
5/ Interesting choice in that the focus is on the hair rather than the eye - I like this one.

But the others, you can keep them if you like. In a box in the attic would probably be best.
 
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Top Cat said:
I was kind of hoping for more discussion, but it seem my thread about exposure compensation is more popular. :/

Is this topic in the wrong place? : S
Click to expand...

Lol, look at the amount of back focusing, corner sharpness and clean high ISO threads on here, not many people want flaws with their image. This look is very 'in' now, which can also make people a little skeptical of it. The re emergence of this technique came with the phone (not sure if it was Apple or Android?) app called Hipstamatic.

Check out these links ;

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lomography

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holga

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hipstamatic

You are wanting this effect on a digital camera, right? What editing software do you have? As there are loads of videos on Youtube showing you how to create this effect.

If I was trying to create this effect, I'd use my cheapest, 'poorest quality' lens (25mm f1.4 C-mount), load it in GIMP and completely abuse the Curves and Saturation levels. I'd also try and create some false light leaks.
 
mmm lomo!

Very popular at the moment with smart phone users, due to "retro camera" apps. Originally based around "toy" cameras, whihc were cheaply made and often with plastic lenses, creating images with low saturation and often a warm temperature, to create a slightly hazy, warm, summery retro feel. The images you posted are mostly surf related and it is a style that works well for this genre, really pushing that timeless summer feel.

I'm going to be controvertial, and say I like it! It gets looked down as bad technical photography, deliberately focusing on mistakes, poor technique and poor cameras whilst using state of the art equipment, but then the same could be said of black and white by some?

There's plenty of apps that can convert images for you, I know aperture has a "toy" mode and a "retro" mode IIRC. Generally speaking de saturation, reduced contrast, increased temperature and a little bit of yellow tint will go a long way towards creating images like this. Good luck
 
Paying customers seem to want it

Just lost a job to a "startup funky photographer" who has 15 images on her site, three of which are of peoples feet, and all of which look like the above. She charges more then me too!

Usual formula - showing stuff from 1 wedding and 2 engagement shoots

Apparently fad and style trumps quality and consistency
 
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