CELEBRATING ENCHANTED SOULS

JANE LONG

Australian artist Jane Long creates enchanting images by transforming old black & white WWII-era photos into colorful fairytale visuals.

Long discovered a cache of photos taken by Costică Acsinte, a Romanian war photographer, and became fascinated by their haunting beauty.

As she pored over their cracked faded surfaces, Long imagined who the subjects might have been. Her mind keeps expanding, to imagine who they might be in her fantasy world.

The original 1930s glass-plate photographs in Acsinte’s series, entitled “Dancing with Costică,” capture the solemn expressions of the men, women, and children who posed for them. Back then, people didn’t smile for the camera. Instead, they offer intense stares, straight into your eyes.

Long wanted to bring out their softer sides, showing more life and love. As Long added color and flourishes, the result is magical. It completely changes our perceptions of the people in the photos.

The new images have a sense of ambiguity. They reflect the fact that the world isn’t black and white. They raise deep social and emotional issues.

Inspiration is sometimes dictated by the original image, but sometimes Long is inspired by personal emotions, music, or other forms of art.

Long is self-taught, learning and building up her photographic and Photoshop skills over 20 years.

To create her images, first she restores the original black & white photo with conventional techniques. Then she colors the images in 2 or more layers. Sometimes she adds a pattern or a texture file to add interest.  

Next, Long starts to compose the image and create the story. She often shoots her own backgrounds and props finally, she adds a series of color toning and texture layers over the top.

To see more of Long’s enchanting images, check out her website and Facebook page. To see more of the Costică Acsinte check out the collection website here.

Read more about Beautiful Enchantments in Beautiful Enchanting Cottages Now, Beautiful Forest Enchantments Now, The Food of Love: Enchanting Wild Portraits, Beautiful Forest Enchantments Now, Award-Winning Photos Of The Most Beautiful Enchanted Places Now and Are You Ready For An Enchanting Escape?

And check out more beautiful things happening now in BN Arts/Design, Nature/Science, Food/Drink, Place/Time, Mind/Body, and Soul/Impact Daily Fix posts.

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IMAGE CREDITS:

1. Image: by Jane Long. “The Juggling Act.” “Dancing with Costică” Series.
2. Image: by Jane Long. “Tall Poppies.” “Dancing with Costică” Series.
3. Image: by Jane Long. “Neptune’s Bride.” “Dancing with Costică” Series.
4. Image: by Jane Long. “Flock.” “Dancing with Costică” Series.
5. Image: by Jane Long. “All Hands On Deck.” “Dancing with Costică” Series.
6. Image: by Jane Long. “Musica.” “Dancing with Costică” Series.
7. Image: by Jane Long. “Sweetheart.” “Dancing with Costică” Series
8. Image: by Jane Long. “Innocence.” “Dancing with Costică” Series.
9. Image: by Jane Long. “Corvo.” “Dancing with Costică” Series.
10. Image: by Jane Long. “A Fond Farewell.” “Dancing with Costică” Series.
11. Image: by Jane Long. “Beacon.” “Dancing with Costică” Series.
12. Image: by Jane Long. “A Stich in Time.” “Dancing with Costică” Series.
13. Image: by BN App - Download now!
14. Image: by Jane Long. “Gun Shy.” “Dancing with Costică” Series.