Retouching – A Tradition in Boating!
Note the sides on this vintage picture. You can also see the bad frisket around the logo on the hull. You can imagine that the sides were almost black and the hull needed to pop in the publication. Most likely a news paper that would have made a mess of the shot
I know many of you may be horrified when we retouch stuff in shots. For the record, we never change anything. We may adjust the color, or lighting, or de focus the background so the boat stands out. Sometimes there are plastic boats in the way, or the famous blue tarp crap on peoples docks. You would be surprised how many blue tarps are in shots. And that blue is unnatural and gets in the way of the boat showing off.
Here is todays header un touched. Now, this is an amazing shot all on its own, did not need retouching. But i did it to show the difference. Note the people in the background are now gone as is the red line, removed the reg numbers, and some small distractiing highlites on the lower side of the boat. Photo Dane Anderson.
But are we doing anything different than back in the day. No way! And far far far better I might add. Don’t get me wrong, its not about talent but more about technology. Back in the 30’s and 40’s heck through the 80’s it was all airbrush and layers of film. No photo went to publish without some retouching. One of the other uses of photoshop now is seeing how your boat may look with a name on it, or design, or color interior. a Either way no more bad moments at the paint shop or sign painter.
Here is Lil Suzy when we got ready to paint her. Trojan Hot Shot
What would it look like if the hull was painted?
Then what if we add in a mouth to take advantage of the Trojan shaped hull
Some cool type. This way you can design and see it all before you commit to paint.
The finished product ready to go behind the woody boater truck.
Or you can strip in your face into a classic shot!
Here is the original photo
This classic on a glance is no different, but….Yup, thats me and my wife as the ladies.. Twins!
The retouching sets an unattainable body image for young girls…I mean boaters. Today’s header for example teaches young boaters that they do not need to register their boats, nor do they need to tie them up at the dock. You may think these things are trivial, but you have no idea how much of my youth was spent practicing docking like Katherine Hepburn in on Golden Pond. Approach the dock and shut off the engine 15 feet away and coast in to a perfect soft landing every time. I destroyed a lot of boats and docks trying to perfect that, only to learn it was a movie trick and that there were divers in the water. I was devastated. You may believe your touched up photos are harmless trickery, but please, I beg you, think of the children!
Rolling on the floor. Not to mention the full throttle exit from the gas dock, wheel cocked starboard.
I am so ashamed….
Wish we could imbed audio into the comments. I was thinking a little Randy Newman “Shame”.
You know…….I swear I can see the nose hair in the nostrils of that Coronado in that picture. Grrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!
How did i miss that. those crazy rouge hairs..
Really, you didn’t add Kate Upton to the Riva shot a few weeks ago? That was really her on the boat?
Ms. Upton’s family is centered around St. Joseph, MI, previously the home to Truscott Boat Company. It might have been more correct have her pictured on one of those, instead of the Riva. Come to think of it, I’m surprised she’s not a spokesperson for Whirlpool appliances, the company her family founded. She would then be pictured by a washing machine or dishwasher instead! Ummmm…not as sexy as the Riva.
Ok, that I am not ashamed of.
Did I miss that?
Stop ruining my fantasies! Airbrushing and digital retouching don’t exist. The boats and the girls are exactly as the camera captured them.
Oh, and congratulations on discovering Suzy has a twin. And on that being good news.
MC Hammer says, “can’t retouch this”
thank goodness no re-touching was required on my photos. What you see, is what you get!
Sexiest Man Alive in the WoodyBoater dream world.
I’m almost certain that elephant trunk was enhanced somehow!
Tooooo funny!
I only get worried when you start “Touching” things.
Wish I was that piece of mahogany.
Troy, you are unfailing. Stay in touch. Particularly, come deep space February.
Why doesn’t it get larger when I click on “view image”. I guess that’s what she said.
OK off topic but has everyone seen this sign for sale through CCABC? I love it!
I have one on my dock, have not had to enforce it yet!
off topic to, where can i get chris craft “utility” decals ? i have the same sign, this is what happens when it’s ignored.
I’m not sure if you’re “re touched” but I know a bunch of Woodyboaters who are “touched”