The sepia collection

Sepia is considered an old-fashioned way to treat photographs, stuffy and Victorian. But it’s still used in the digital age, and brings a certain something to various shots.

I’m a fan, but use it quite sparingly. You know when it fits a photograph and adds something to the story. Landscapes which contain people often come under the sepia gaze in my editing suite. It adds many different subtle moods and freezes a moment more delicately. Architectural details, already locked in time, can also benefit from this treatment. This collection of UK shots that I’ve put together hopefully visualises these points.

Click on the first image to launch the full size gallery

Tags: architecture, Battersea Park, BBC Television Centre, Brighton, candid shots, London, photography, sepia, Windsor

19 thoughts on “The sepia collection”

George Weaver on October 4, 2012 at 01:56 said:

I am totally smitten with the tone here. That is difficult to achieve, I think, and a matter of perfect judgement! WOW. These images “feel” natural. They don’t jar the senses the way hard black and white does. Superb! And refreshing to my tired old eyes! :-)

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- mikeosbornphoto on October 5, 2012 at 18:27 said:
  
  George, thank you very much, that’s really appreciated. Sepia doesn’t work for everything, it somehow needs to connect with the mood of the photograph. And I’m sure your “old” eyes are very experienced!
  
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jdtphotography.co.uk on October 3, 2012 at 08:47 said:

I really like the atmosphere of wapping portico and the strong lines in the Fountain court exterior shot

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- mikeosbornphoto on October 3, 2012 at 19:20 said:
  
  Many thanks, James, and I appreciate your visit. I look forward to seeing more of your work.
  
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  - jdtphotography.co.uk on October 4, 2012 at 07:41 said:
    
    You are very welcome and the feelings are mutual.
    
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    - mikeosbornphoto on October 5, 2012 at 18:23 said:
      
      Many thanks, James, that’s good to hear.
      
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Noeline Smith on October 2, 2012 at 18:40 said:

Some lovely shots here. I particularly like Thames Vista and Crowded – they have a ‘classic’ feel to them. I too am a fan of sepia, as you say sometimes it just fits.

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- mikeosbornphoto on October 2, 2012 at 19:05 said:
  
  Thanks so much, Noeline. I was pleased that Brighton turned out to be a very good sepia location. Somehow a lot of people in a particular sort of scene are ripe for this treatment.
  
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Vibeke Henriette on October 2, 2012 at 09:57 said:

Sephia tends to add a certain mood to some themes and situations, love these without doubt!

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- mikeosbornphoto on October 2, 2012 at 19:02 said:
  
  Thank you very much, Vibeke. Yes, it should be used carefully but is a great tone to have in the armoury.
  
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ckponderings on October 2, 2012 at 06:35 said:

Beautiful series of images! I agree that sepia works in certain circumstances – the same as black and white, I guess – but you’ve used it to great effect in these shots! (Admittedly, I was trying to track down where you’d taken them as I went through, and think I’ve for six of the locations!) Some seriously great panoramas, though; the Brighton ones are beautiful, and I love the perspective of the line of seated people. Favourite has to be the couple sitting overlooking the city. Great collection, Mike! :D

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- mikeosbornphoto on October 2, 2012 at 19:01 said:
  
  Richard, thank you very much! Yes, some Brighton and a bit of Windsor in there. Otherwise London. It would be good to have a decent way of captioning photos. I think you can sometimes be a bit more fast and loose with regular black and white.
  
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  - ckponderings on October 3, 2012 at 06:42 said:
    
    I agree totally! :)
    
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danitacahill on October 1, 2012 at 20:03 said:

Nice! I love sepia.

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- mikeosbornphoto on October 1, 2012 at 20:04 said:
  
  Thanks Danita. I’m quite a fan too!
  
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dianajhale on October 1, 2012 at 19:57 said:

Certainly works for these! I’ve never really tried it so maybe I should!

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- mikeosbornphoto on October 1, 2012 at 20:03 said:
  
  Thanks Diana. Yes, give it a try. Easy enough to experiment with in an editing programme where you can soon tell if it suits or not.
  
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oneowner on October 1, 2012 at 19:19 said:

It may bring an “old-fashioned” look to photos but it is definitely not “stuffy and Victorian”. It’s as fresh today as it was 150 years ago.

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- mikeosbornphoto on October 1, 2012 at 19:20 said:
  
  I quite agree. It has a certain quality which no other form of editing can magic up.
  
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