Re: 489 in Green - another example (pics)

Wayne -

We All Thank You for your support!!

As mentioned previously, Kodachrome 10 (what else was there in 1950?) was somewhat less sensitive to
green light than to the warmer colors, and was notoriously contrasty as well. Here's Emory Smith's photo
retouched with just a LITTLE extra green, shadows lightened 25%, and mid-range contrast decreased by 10%:


... and subsequently brightened overall by 25%:


The blacks still look black, but the green is now apparent (compare the cab & tender sides to the jacket & coaches). It probably should be brightened and the contrast reduced even more (notice how dark the sky is, and some of the shadows under the bushes), but this is certainly getting closer to what the photographer's eyes would have seen.

- Russ

p.s. A couple of years ago, Scott Turner gave me permission to colorize his superb photo of #488:

This is VERY close to how I would like to see #492/97 painted more-or-less permanently when she returns to service in 2011 or 2012 - as close as possible to her as-delivered configuration*, lettered in the older "DENVER & RIO GRANDE WESTERN" style, except with a red/blue herald on one side and a blue/red herald on the other to add just a spot of semi-historic color for us photographers, and a silver smokebox front for visibility/safety reasons.

Also, IMHO, anything lettered D&RGW or Rio Grande should be as accurate an historic re-creation as possible, and - to avoid confusing the public - NO extensively modified or non-historic equipment WHATSOEVER should be lettered 'D&RGW' or 'Rio Grande'.

* There is just more than a little evidence that the K-37's were delivered from Burnham shops with green jackets, so if any C&TS engine is to have a green jacket after #489 in 2010 IMHO it should be #492/97.



Edited 9 time(s). Last edit at 09/12/2017 12:03AM by Russo Loco.