OK, so I tried for that "Old Timey" look and I think I failed.

[Sonoma]

The sky in this picture was all cloud and probably blown, so I decided to try and convert it to B&W and add noise for that "Old Timey" look. I just don't like the way it turned out. To much noise, not dark enough blacks, I don't know, just looks off!

Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks!

 

[480sparky68 67]

Add an 'overexposed' border, and give it some sepia tint.

 

[Ms.Nash]

I think both of these edits look good.

 

[blackrose89]

I think the noise works in this case.

 

[WesternGuy]

I like Sparky's rendition - the sepia toning and the frame give a more "old timey" look - IMHO.

WesternGuy

 

[photo guy]

nice shot, i have past relatives who worked on the railroads so I am a little bit of a railroad fan

 

[Edsport]

 

[ghache]

Have you try to add less noise a little bit and add some texture instaid to get that look. You can find really nice cracked texture all over the web and apply them in photoshop. its really easy to do and you will get that old vingage look you are looking for. Add your texture image on a layer and set opacity and blending mode to whatever you feel like work best.

 

[GrantH]

I really enjoy EdSport's edit. Awesome photo.

 

[Dao]

Agree with ghache. You can find some nice old texture paper here

Creative Commons - a set on Flickr

I used one of the texture background listed from the above link and blended it in my photo and here is the result.

 

[Scuba]

I like the noise as well as the other edits. I think going with the old time photo look you have a lot more leeway on what you do. I think this is a great shot for this look.

 

[KenC]

Not enough blacks or highlights, imo. Otherwise I think it works as originally posted. Just go into curves or levels and increase the tonal range.

 

[Sonoma]

Thanks for the comments and suggestions. Much appreciated.

@Dao- I bookmarked your link, very cool. Thanks!

@KenC- I played with the levels, but I'm pretty sure I have no idea what I'm doing. I'll give it another shot. Thanks

 

[Dao]

By the way, the creator of the textures mentioned in his/her flickr acct that "Mostly photos of textures I have found around the farm or created using Paint Shop Pro. Feel free to use them in your art!". So it is fine to use them in your photo.

More textures from the same creator. Textures And Objects - a set on Flickr

 

[Edsport]