The Inspiration:
Having always marveled at the intaglio technique used to create vintage postage stamps, I decided to apply this style of print making to my photographs. Inspired in particular by the monochromatic U.S. postage stamps from the early 1920s, I undertook the task of transforming my landscape pictures how I imagine J. Eissler & E.M Hall might have interpreted them.
The Technique:
This method introduces a tangible feeling to the art of digital photography that harkens back to the photographic print making for me. The hands on feel of working in a darkroom is much like the hands on feel of a printing press, each with their own unique scents and sounds, each with the attention to detail required to produce a piece of art that can be reproduced ad infinitum.
The Results:
This hybrid technique created solely with the digital process and in photoshop, allows me to convert my travel photographs into vintage or antique postal stamps, and is a post production process that I find both beautiful and artistically satisfying. Below are a handful of the results so far…
A series of vintage stamps from iconic landmark attractions around the globe:
Antique and Vintage Stamp of Tian Tan Buddha in Hong Kong.
Antique and Vintage Stamp of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Antique and Vintage Stamp of The Great Wall in China.
Antique and Vintage Stamp of the Hungarian Parliament Building in Budapest, Hungary.
Antique and Vintage Stamp of Kingdom Center Tower in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
A series of vintage stamps centered around South Korea:
Antique and Vintage Stamp of Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul, South Korea.
Antique and Vintage Stamp of Seocho Garak Tower East in Seoul, South Korea.
Antique and Vintage Stamp of a Bonsai Tree at Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul, South Korea.
Antique and Vintage Stamp of Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Seoul, South Korea.
Antique and Vintage Stamp of a Buddhist Temple on top of Mount Geumosan in Gumi, South Korea.
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Shea,
What program/app did you use to get the postage stamp effect for your photos.
Thanks for the info.
Hey Peter! I began with watching video tutorials showing step by step etching techniques in photoshop and ultimately used the PanosFX action along with a substantial amount of customized retouching per/photo to get the look I was trying to achieve. It’s a long process per image, but fun and enjoyable. Hope that helps :)))