Rob, Your hard work on this one is excellent! I think it might be your best yet? But then that is a hard one to call. I will say it's a fave for me. I love it, and I appreciate all the hard work you put into it. Just so darn good! tigs=^..^=

This is a perfect 'mini collage', Rob, showing clearly the difference between the original B&W image and its enhanced colorized version. The latter has become really a 'wowser'!
Join me in Sandi's comment too, because I know that you've done a heck of a job again. You have my admiration for that.
S+F instantly. Thanks, my friend!

Rob, these ladies appear to be working on a "48" star flag. If so, a bit too many for 1776 . Your work in adding the color is exceptional, as always.

Each time a new United States flag was adopted, adding stars for new states, the arrangement of stars had to be considered. The perfect alignment of the vertical (6 rows) and horizontal (8 rows) lines of stars on this flag would indicate that it's a 48-star flag, adopted in 1912, the 49-star flag not arriving on the scene until 1959, with the addition of Alaska, well outside the 1905-1945 range indicated by the image title, and the odd number of stars then created the offset arrangement we've used ever since. Add in the period clothing the women are wearing and one can assume this scene was obviously a promotional device created by Harris and Ewing. That doesn't diminish the character of the image at all but rather helps to reinforce the idea that what we do today, with our digital enhancement and manipulation of photography, was being done for many years, albeit with models and props. An interesting concept (and well-worn phrase) for us to consider; "the more things change, the more they stay the same."

I do not find fault with your temptation to repair the image, Rob. It's what art and museum restorers do all the time, simply a decision by each of just how much repair is necessary. The great thing about our current technology is that we are able to easily make a copy to repair, while keeping the original in the condition which helped make it an historic piece... just as you've shown us here. Often, in the museum field, a replica will be made of a particularly sensitive artifact, with the replica placed on exhibit and the original safely covered in an acid-free mylar, inside an acid-free box, and on a closed shelf in locked storage, safe from air, light, skin oils, and even our breath. Again, excellent restoration work, Rob. I like a submission that makes me think.

-Nik

You do such great work on these photos!

You've got the knack to produce these beautiful paintings this is a beauty.

The colored version allows one to contemplate the importance of the scene better, you are not distracted by the imperfections that age can cause. This is a strong image, and your expertise had added immensely to this capture. Bravo!

This is spectacular work, like the way you given us both both b/w & coloured version. I think this one is your best so far - love