The Jim Steranko Indy look?

Bigfoot · Post by **Bigfoot** » Fri Apr 24, 2015 8:19 pm

giantthugee86 wrote:Does anyone know where I can find a khaki belt like the one in Steranko's art?

Pistol belt--
http://www.ima-usa.com/original-u-s-wwi ... -belt.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Holster--
http://www.ima-usa.com/u-s-wwii-m1911-4 ... ed-us.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

giantthugee86 · Post by **giantthugee86** » Fri Apr 24, 2015 10:23 pm

Bigfoot wrote:
giantthugee86 wrote:Does anyone know where I can find a khaki belt like the one in Steranko's art?
Pistol belt--
http://www.ima-usa.com/original-u-s-wwi ... -belt.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Holster--
http://www.ima-usa.com/u-s-wwii-m1911-4 ... ed-us.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks! Wish it didn't have the US markings though.

Post by **Cajunkraut** » Fri Apr 24, 2015 11:06 pm

giantthugee86 wrote:
Bigfoot wrote:
giantthugee86 wrote:Does anyone know where I can find a khaki belt like the one in Steranko's art?
Pistol belt--
http://www.ima-usa.com/original-u-s-wwi ... -belt.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Holster--
http://www.ima-usa.com/u-s-wwii-m1911-4 ... ed-us.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Thanks! Wish it didn't have the US markings though.

Again, Google "khaki web pistol belt." You'll find one exactly the way you want it somewhere. Even without the US markings.

Post by **Jens** » Sat Apr 25, 2015 9:26 am

Indeed, any Army Surplus Store should have them. It's an average piece of equipment. Not that expensive actually.

Post by **Indiana Jeff** » Sat Apr 25, 2015 10:13 am

And this rig really shows where Jim got some of his inspiration.

http://www.ima-usa.com/u-s-wwi-wwii-191 ... h-set.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Regards,

Indiana Jeff

ChrisMD · Post by **ChrisMD** » Sat Apr 25, 2015 12:50 pm

Indiana Jeff wrote:And this rig really shows where Jim got some of his inspiration.

http://www.ima-usa.com/u-s-wwi-wwii-191 ... h-set.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Regards,

Indiana Jeff

GREAT find on that sight Jeff! Never seen it before and the customer reviews are really good and they have great prices to boot! Eyeing those original Brown Bess muskets and a softshell holster for my P38. What I find REALLY cool are the old style leather holsters they sell for modern handguns. I love doing that. Good find!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

darthjones · Post by **darthjones** » Sat Apr 25, 2015 2:25 pm

I might have mentioned this before but Jon Hamm of Mad Men could really do an Indy like the Steranko version

Indiana Greg · Post by **Indiana Greg** » Sat Apr 25, 2015 11:15 pm

ThatManFromRio wrote:
darkhelmet wrote:WWI or the Spanish American War Pistol belt with Brass Buckle. Looks close enough:

Thanks ! Where can we find this replica ?
TMFR

eBay "spoon and wreath" or "tongue in wreath" buckle, they were used on sword belts as well.

darthjones · Post by **darthjones** » Sun Apr 26, 2015 1:05 am

Rock Hudson too except that he is too old and dead.

Post by **Indiana Jeff** » Sun Apr 26, 2015 10:38 am

Between the belts/holsters shown here and Jens' jacket in this thread http://indygear.com/cow/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=64305" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I'm getting awfully tempted to start pulling the trigger on some "Jim" gear.

Regards,

Indiana Jeff

ChrisMD · Post by **ChrisMD** » Sun Apr 26, 2015 12:50 pm

Indiana Jeff wrote:Between the belts/holsters shown here and Jens' jacket in this thread http://indygear.com/cow/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=64305" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I'm getting awfully tempted to start pulling the trigger on some "Jim" gear.

Regards,

Indiana Jeff

You should probably get a backup Fury jacket in case you spill spaghetti on the first one. Always good to have two...........

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Post by **Indiana Jeff** » Sun Apr 26, 2015 1:34 pm

Stop it.

Regards,

Indiana Jeff

Indiana Greg · Post by **Indiana Greg** » Sun Apr 26, 2015 10:38 pm

Indiana Greg wrote:
ThatManFromRio wrote:
Thanks ! Where can we find this replica ?
TMFR
eBay "spoon and wreath" or "tongue in wreath" buckle, they were used on sword belts as well.

Here is one of mine:

Post by **Indiana Jeff** » Tue Apr 28, 2015 2:48 pm

And mine.

Vintage BSA belt I wear with my uniform. X-mas 1968 is handwritten on it.

Regards,

Indiana Jeff

zeus36 · Post by **zeus36** » Sat May 02, 2015 10:30 am

Another old thread brought back.... I actually prefer the outfit shown in the pre-production sketch, so I put together a second outfit that I based on the Steranko artwork. I may catch some flak, but it looks more styled than Ford's outfit. The jacket is from Banana Republic and has the same color and open cuff sleeves with a snap closure. Same collar too. When I saw it in the thrift store, I said that's the one in the sketch! I found a really battered surplus khaki drab pistol belt with US .45 surplus flap-style holster and a canvas magazine pouch you see on the left front hip. I used a broken leather rifle strap to attach to the pistol belt in two places. It keeps the mag pouch in position as the holster pulls the web belt down on the right hip. An old pair of high rise Bill's flat front khakis gives enough waist height to allow the pants belt to sit high up at the navel and room for the web belt to be separated from the belt loops. Those cotton pants gives the creasing effect you see in the drawing. I have a (Glad-hatter) lid from a COW member that was dimensionally cut a bit too much, but reminds me of the one in Steranko's artwork. (smaller brim) My gal bought me a black whip as a Christmas present, so that gets dedicated to this outfit. Boots are an old pair of un-dyed Chippewas I found new buried in a GI surplus store. The regular Indy belt currently doubles in both outfits as does the shirt - but I'm still looking for the WW1 leather belt and round buckle.

Post by **Cajunkraut** » Sat May 02, 2015 3:22 pm

zeus36 wrote:but I'm still looking for the WW1 leather belt and round buckle.

From earlier in the thread:
https://www.epsaddlery.com/pc-108-28-19 ... -belt.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Google search:
http://www.amazon.com/M1912-Leather-Pis ... =1911+belt" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.hessenantique.com/U_S_Office ... 803386.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

And it's easy to see that the WWI Sam Browne belt was the inspiration for Steranko's belt/shoulder strap combo:

Add a Sam Browne strap (easily found on eBay) to the leather pistol belt, and you're all set.

giantthugee86 · Post by **giantthugee86** » Sat May 02, 2015 4:46 pm

zeus36 wrote:Another old thread brought back.... I actually prefer the outfit shown in the pre-production sketch, so I put together a second outfit that I based on the Steranko artwork. I may catch some flak, but it looks more styled than Ford's outfit. The jacket is from Banana Republic and has the same color and open cuff sleeves with a snap closure. Same collar too. When I saw it in the thrift store, I said that's the one in the sketch! I found a really battered surplus khaki drab pistol belt with US .45 surplus flap-style holster and a canvas magazine pouch you see on the left front hip. I used a broken leather rifle strap to attach to the pistol belt in two places. It keeps the mag pouch in position as the holster pulls the web belt down on the right hip. An old pair of high rise Bill's flat front khakis gives enough waist height to allow the pants belt to sit high up at the navel and room for the web belt to be separated from the belt loops. Those cotton pants gives the creasing effect you see in the drawing. I have a (Glad-hatter) lid from a COW member that was dimensionally cut a bit too much, but reminds me of the one in Steranko's artwork. (smaller brim) My gal bought me a black whip as a Christmas present, so that gets dedicated to this outfit. Boots are an old pair of un-dyed Chippewas I found new buried in a GI surplus store. The regular Indy belt currently doubles in both outfits as does the shirt - but I'm still looking for the WW1 leather belt and round buckle.

Pics?

zeus36 · Post by **zeus36** » Sun May 03, 2015 4:09 am

Cajunkraut wrote: Add a Sam Browne strap (easily found on eBay) to the leather pistol belt, and you're all set.

The pistol belt in the artwork is a cotton military 2 inch web belt. The pants belt is leather at maybe 1.25 inches. Perhaps Steranko intended the leather chest strap to be part of the pants belt in the Sam Browne style? If so, how would you run the leather belt with the attached D rings through the belt loops on the pants?

I'm thinking the strap is for the pistol belt.

Tibor · Post by **Tibor** » Sun May 03, 2015 9:24 am

Michaelson wrote:I hope you can. I would be nice knowing these were in the hands of a real fan' rather than gathering dust in a drawer somewhere.

These were the images 'we' had access to with the film first came out in the 'hinderlands'. There were few actual print images of Ford as Indy from the film. Remember,the internet was a LONG way off at that time, so we had to depend on what we actually saw on screen, and what little trickled out of the industry into our small towns.

The Steranko image of Indy was the first one I ever saw on a commercial item, and was on the boxed board game that came out in 1981 (if memory serves me right). When the film came out again in the summer of 1982, the game image was updated to show Ford as Indy as seen on the original movie poster.

We had access to the magazines and newspaper articles, but the photos were limited, and dark. The Steranko image was first....and I looked for that jacket for almost 10 years before giving up.

These sure bring back old (and VERY good) memories of the orginal 'chase' for any information and items I could find of this film.

Thanks for starting it.

HIGH regards! Michaelson

I wonder if Magnoli could replicate that jacket ...

Interestingly, the Steranko art was also used in the deluxe press kit issued prior to the movie's release.

Post by **Cajunkraut** » Sun May 03, 2015 10:05 am

zeus36 wrote:The pistol belt in the artwork is a cotton military 2 inch web belt. The pants belt is leather at maybe 1.25 inches. Perhaps Steranko intended the leather chest strap to be part of the pants belt in the Sam Browne style? If so, how would you run the leather belt with the attached D rings through the belt loops on the pants?

Pretty much my point. To clarify:

The Steranko leather pants belt shown was originally a military-issued WWI pistol belt (see again my prior post and links). It's approx. 1-7/8 inches wide, so it'll fit through most pants belt loops.

The Sam Browne setup was obviously also designed to be worn over a uniform rather than through belt loops.

This is where artistic license meets the "reality" of costuming. Imagination, innovation, and resourcefulness required! Two Sam Browne D rings would have to be affixed to the WWI leather belt. The D rings and/or the straps holding the D rings on would have to be folded down as the belt was threaded through belt loops. Attach the shoulder strap, and voila.

zeus36 wrote:I'm thinking the strap is for the pistol belt.

Yes, since Steranko's concepts aren't that specific, it's possible that the shoulder strap connects to the cotton pistol belt. I guess we'd have to ask Steranko to find out for sure.

Post by **Cajunkraut** » Sat Nov 28, 2015 3:14 pm

Has anyone brought the Steranko Indy costume to fruition?

ChrisMD · Post by **ChrisMD** » Sat Nov 28, 2015 7:13 pm

Cajunkraut wrote:Has anyone brought the Steranko Indy costume to fruition?

Not the entire look but I do frequently use the web belt and accessories in the field.

Got a little "Steranko Gear"
viewtopic.php?t=64800" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Post by **Cajunkraut** » Sun Nov 29, 2015 12:43 pm

ChrisMD wrote:
Cajunkraut wrote:Has anyone brought the Steranko Indy costume to fruition?

Not the entire look but I do frequently use the web belt and accessories in the field.

Got a little "Steranko Gear"
viewtopic.php?t=64800" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Yep, saw that. Nice looking rig and neat web site. Your mag pouch looks like the one Steranko drew, at least on the cobra print.

I'm itching to see someone complete the look, cigarette and all. I think it's a great interpretation of the character, and would make a spectacular costume if done accurately.

backstagejack · Post by **backstagejack** » Sun Nov 29, 2015 1:09 pm

Cajunkraut wrote: I'm itching to see someone complete the look, cigarette and all. I think it's a great interpretation of the character, and would make a spectacular costume if done accurately.

If I could have afforded it, I promise I would've already done this. Heck, I even have a pack of unfiltered Lucky's sitting on my desk right now, haha.

There's two looks I really want to see, the Steranko look and a "real world" gear collection. Indy with all period gear (possibly with gear that might reflect his time in WWI).

davidd · Post by **davidd** » Sun Nov 29, 2015 1:54 pm

The most challenging aspect of replicating this look would be the necessary hours in the gym; countless hours of heavy, heavy lifting.

The thing that makes the screen Indy look appealing, and achievable for many of us, is that the final, Ford version of the costume is designed and scaled for a more or less "normal" or "average" physique - granted, a Hollywood screen version of a normal physique.

Post by **Cajunkraut** » Sun Nov 29, 2015 3:25 pm

davidd wrote:The thing that makes the screen Indy look appealing, and achievable for many of us, is that the final, Ford version of the costume is designed and scaled for a more or less "normal" or "average" physique - granted, a Hollywood screen version of a normal physique.

Agreed. One of the many reasons lots of us can identify with the character is the everyman factor. The same thing that makes OTR gear doable.

zeus36 · Post by **zeus36** » Mon Nov 30, 2015 10:34 pm

Victor Mature in "Samson and Delia" comes to mind when I look at that Steranko artwork.

Cajunkraut wrote:Has anyone brought the Steranko Indy costume to fruition?

I did it for Halloween but my better half wanted me in something different, so no pics (even had an old clove unfiltered cigarette hang out of the corner of my mouth)... ended up going as "V" from "V for Vendetta"

Post by **Cajunkraut** » Mon Nov 30, 2015 11:42 pm

zeus36 wrote:
Cajunkraut wrote:Has anyone brought the Steranko Indy costume to fruition?
I did it for Halloween but my better half wanted me in something different, so no pics (even had an old clove unfiltered cigarette hang out of the corner of my mouth)... ended up going as "V" from "V for Vendetta"

WConly · Post by **WConly** » Tue Dec 01, 2015 9:47 pm

I have been searching through the site here, but cannot find it, but our own Mitch LaRoo did a photo set with 'The Steranko' concept 'Indy Look,' some time back. I recall that he staged it with the 'mat's from the original 'Steranko' paintings and it was all very cool. If anyone here remembers this and knows where to locate it, please post the link here, as it is very much in line with this thread. I recall that Mitch did a great job and looked superb in and with his images of this 'look'! FWIT! Thanks, to anyone who can locate this. W>

backstagejack · Post by **backstagejack** » Wed Dec 02, 2015 12:16 am

WConly wrote:I have been searching through the site here, but cannot find it, but our own Mitch LaRoo did a photo set with 'The Steranko' concept 'Indy Look,' some time back. I recall that he staged it with the 'mat's from the original 'Steranko' paintings and it was all very cool. If anyone here remembers this and knows where to locate it, please post the link here, as it is very much in line with this thread. I recall that Mitch did a great job and looked superb in and with his images of this 'look'! FWIT! Thanks, to anyone who can locate this. W>

You know what.... you're right, I remember that as well.... but I just looked through 59 pages in the search of Mitch's posts and nothing....

Post by **Michaelson** » Wed Dec 02, 2015 7:56 am

Mitch LaRue wrote:Just wanted to chime in and add my voice to those who would LOVE to see some daredevil here at C.O.W. try and give this cool Steranko look a go!

We've got plenty of guys here who have a pretty great (and pretty BIG & varied) collection of jakcets that capture the look of the Indy Era... and lots of Members who have various types of War-Era Gear (including perhaps BELTS similar to those in Steranko's paintings?)...

So, C'MON somebody! Do us proud!
$\:D/$

I recall someone doing it too, and pretty sure it WAS Mitch.

He was even asking someone to do it in this very thread, so you'd think if HE had a set of photos, he'd have just posted them?

Regards! M

WConly · Post by **WConly** » Sat Jan 02, 2016 10:01 pm

Michaelson wrote:
Mitch LaRue wrote:Just wanted to chime in and add my voice to those who would LOVE to see some daredevil here at C.O.W. try and give this cool Steranko look a go!

We've got plenty of guys here who have a pretty great (and pretty BIG & varied) collection of jakcets that capture the look of the Indy Era... and lots of Members who have various types of War-Era Gear (including perhaps BELTS similar to those in Steranko's paintings?)...

So, C'MON somebody! Do us proud!
$\:D/$

Yeah...(sorry, just now re-checking this thread) but pretty sure it was Mitch. I recall his images being placed into the drawings of Steranko's works. It was really good stuff! Got me....I am positive about this one -- or I have been having some pretty vivid dreams (coming out of the past on this site)

! W>

Post by **Michaelson** » Sun Jan 03, 2016 2:51 pm

Well, I've come up empty on finding anything, so if he did it, the photos/thread has been pulled for some reason.

Regards! M

backstagejack · Post by **backstagejack** » Sun Jan 03, 2016 3:07 pm

WConly wrote:
Michaelson wrote:
Mitch LaRue wrote:Just wanted to chime in and add my voice to those who would LOVE to see some daredevil here at C.O.W. try and give this cool Steranko look a go!

We've got plenty of guys here who have a pretty great (and pretty BIG & varied) collection of jakcets that capture the look of the Indy Era... and lots of Members who have various types of War-Era Gear (including perhaps BELTS similar to those in Steranko's paintings?)...

So, C'MON somebody! Do us proud!
$\:D/$

Yeah...(sorry, just now re-checking this thread) but pretty sure it was Mitch. I recall his images being placed into the drawings of Steranko's works. It was really good stuff! Got me....I am positive about this one -- or I have been having some pretty vivid dreams (coming out of the past on this site) ! W>

Yep, for some reason I could've sworn it was Mitch as well..... if not, whoever did it, I recall they did a good job.

Oh well.

Post by **Michaelson** » Sun Jan 03, 2016 3:32 pm

Like I said above, if it was Mitch, it's odd he hasn't just reposted them, as I, too, recall the thread from years ago.

Regard! M

WConly · Post by **WConly** » Sun Jan 03, 2016 4:47 pm

Michaelson wrote:Like I said above, if it was Mitch, it's odd he hasn't just reposted them, as I, too, recall the thread from years ago.

Regard! M

Thinking back on this...as I recall, it was based on the concept of 'Indy in grey/gray scale colouring. Blacks, greys, etc. and utilizing the background Steranko art work. I'm starting to worry about 'my recall' -- here

! W>

captblitzdawg · Post by **captblitzdawg** » Sun Jan 03, 2016 11:21 pm

I saw where people were recommending who they thought could be the Steranko Indy, and I think he might have had a Robert Mitchum type of actor on his mind when he did these. Tall, dark haired, and mean looking!

Mitch LaRue · Post by **Mitch LaRue** » Wed Feb 17, 2016 2:38 pm

Hi everybody
“Mitch” here!

My ears were burnin’! LOL

I know it’s been a while… Hope you’re all doing well

I’ll start by repeating something I was just saying to a fellow C.O.W. Member on another Thread just yesterday:
Sorry to say that I've been a very infrequent guest here in these hallowed hallways for the last couple of years...
I’m Still very much in love with the hobby …but I’ve been doing a lousy job of checking in Here more often

I'm working on changing that, though

I also just want to say a warm “Thanks” for the kind words from several of you here regarding the “Steranko Concept Indy” look that I took a shot at a couple of years back…

To confirm, here’s the story:

Yep, just as Michaelson said, I was one of the people at the start of this Thread who was cheering along with others for someone to DO this! That was around mid-to-late- July of 2011…
We all talked about it and got excited at the idea of somebody maybe taking on the task of seeing it through, but months went by and it seemed to just drop by the wayside without anyone actually stepping up to the plate on this one…

Hmmm…
I can already tell that I’ve got a couple more paragraphs to go in order to tell this story…
Better if I chop it up a bit

So… END of Part 1

Mitch LaRue · Post by **Mitch LaRue** » Wed Feb 17, 2016 2:45 pm

Part 2

I don’t think it was until early August of 2012 that I started thinking about 'The Steranko Look’ again and realized that if I was gonna put this outfit together (and actually get some photos taken in front of sand dunes -as opposed to ‘snow dunes’) that I’d probably better get to work on it –and fast!
For this reason, My attempt at a ‘Real-Life Version' of The Steranko Indy was definitely what you might call a ‘stripped down and simplified’ version of that outfit; while I did make get my mitts on an old web pistol belt, old holster and ammo pouches, the shirt, jacket and fedora were all just that: “a shirt, jacket and fedora that weren't an “INDY Shirt, Jacket or Fedora”
I wanted as many pieces as possible to be kind of “off” and NOT be looking like the clothes and gear Ford actually uses in the movie

Despite what C.O.W. Member davidd wrote about “The most challenging aspect of replicating this look would be the necessary hours in the gym; countless hours of heavy, heavy lifting”, I actually chose to make the supreme sacrifice of NOT doing that LOL!
(You’re Welcome!)

This decision was made partially because of the OTHER thing davidd wrote (“The thing that makes the screen Indy look appealing, and achievable for many of us, is that the final, Ford version of the costume is designed and scaled for a more or less ‘normal’ or ‘average’ physique”)
…but largely due to lack of interest in actually spending countless hours in the gym doing heavy lifting!

So, anyway…
By early September of 2012 I’d put together a rather nifty little “In the Spirit of Steranko” Indy outfit –Actually, I’d technically put together TWO versions: they were identical except for the jacket

You see, I’d decided that I wanted to not only try and capture the spirit of the “Sand Dune Indy” picture… but also the version of Jones he did in one of his other pieces; a rather “Well of The Souls”-looking picture that I’ll call “Snake Tomb Indy”

I’ve always loved both of those pieces (and the outfits are VERY similar) but I noticed that the jacket shown in the ‘Snake Tomb’ piece is a rather reddish-burgundy leather color…

As luck would have it, at around the time that I was putting together the rest of the “Sand Dune” outfit I happened to find an old burgundy leather jacket that did an okay job of filling the bill (and for the reasonable cost of 10 bucks!)

Mitch LaRue · Post by **Mitch LaRue** » Wed Feb 17, 2016 3:05 pm

Part 3

And so, early September rolled around and on the first sunny weekend, my wife, son and I headed to a nearby beach in search of the right sand dune (I know I wouldn’t get a DESERT dune, but wanted to at least get a good sweep of sand as my backdrop)

We got several shots at the beach for the “Sand Dune Indy” pose and once we were back at the house I simply set up shop by the side of the deck, assumed the best “Snake Tomb” pose I could manage and got a few more shots taken right there (in the hope that somewhere down the road I’d have a friend -with a little bit of spare time AND a gift for Photoshop- who’d be able to tweak these images and bring them to their natural conclusion)

Anyway, THAT’s the story of the pictures I posted (the pics I thought I posted right HERE in THIS very Thread) back in late September of 2012 …

So, what’s happened to them since that time?
That I can't tell you…

I know I didn’t delete them or anything like that…

Wasn’t there some sort of System CRASH or something here a few years back?
Did we lose a lot of stuff that was never recovered?
(I’m actually Asking that, I honestly don’t know the details of it... or if that did happen)

Anyway, maybe it all got lost in that event
Oh well... whatever happened to them, they do seem to be gone. From these pages, at least

I Do have some copies of them though… I've just gotta ‘dig ‘em out’
Just give me a little time to put everything together (I've also got a few more comments to make about what happened after I first posted them, too)

Photos to come in the next day or so

backstagejack · Post by **backstagejack** » Wed Feb 17, 2016 7:34 pm

Mitch LaRue wrote:Part 3

And so, early September rolled around and on the first sunny weekend, my wife, son and I headed to a nearby beach in search of the right sand dune (I know I wouldn’t get a DESERT dune, but wanted to at least get a good sweep of sand as my backdrop)

We got several shots at the beach for the “Sand Dune Indy” pose and once we were back at the house I simply set up shop by the side of the deck, assumed the best “Snake Tomb” pose I could manage and got a few more shots taken right there (in the hope that somewhere down the road I’d have a friend -with a little bit of spare time AND a gift for Photoshop- who’d be able to tweak these images and bring them to their natural conclusion)

Anyway, THAT’s the story of the pictures I posted (the pics I thought I posted right HERE in THIS very Thread) back in late September of 2012 …

I KNEW IT!!!!!!!!!

zeus36 · Post by **zeus36** » Wed Feb 17, 2016 8:03 pm

Mitch LaRue wrote: Photos to come in the next day or so

Looking forward to those pics!

Post by **Michaelson** » Wed Feb 17, 2016 11:11 pm

Mitch LaRue wrote: Yep, just as Michaelson said, I was one of the people at the start of this Thread who was cheering along with others for someone to DO this! That was around mid-to-late- July of 2011…

Not sure why no one listens these days.

Regards! Michaelson

ChrisMD · Post by **ChrisMD** » Thu Feb 18, 2016 11:01 am

Episode 2016: The Return of The Mitch! Welcome back!

Mitch LaRue · Post by **Mitch LaRue** » Fri Feb 19, 2016 10:48 am

LOL Thanks, guys!
I truly appreciate your kind welcome (and good sense of humor)!

One more bit of Back Story and then a couple of photos (Your patience has paid off! My long-winded tale is nearing its end!)

So, back in 2012 when I first posted my ‘Steranko Indy’ shots here (in this Thread… I think), one of our fellow C.O.W. Members - fenris – almost immediately took the pictures and did a little bit of digital-photo-trickery to blend together my original photos with the concept paintings
I was really flattered –and thankful- that he’d taken the time to do this and I was also kinda’ thrilled with the results; I was already rather happy with how my poses seemed to match up with Steranko’s figure pretty well, but having fenris layer my figure over the original paintings just made it all that much more… COOL

(in a Completely IndyGeek Way)
And I was especially jazzed about the fact that he hadn’t really tinkered with my original photos too much (other than altering the tint and brightness a bit here and there)

So, let’s start there…
First up is my homage to Jim Steranko’s “Sand Dune Indy” Pre-Production concept painting

You’ll note that I’m also including copies of Steranko’s two amazing concept paintings here in this Thread as reference
(I think that both pieces are back on Page 1 of this Thread, but this way it’ll be nearby for the sake of some comparisons I’d like to make as well as some similarities I’d like to point out)

The Original piece:

The fenris version:

Now, as much as I love what he’d done with this shot (and the next one), fenris was careful to point out to me that he’d done all of this pretty quickly …So, it’s probably also pretty obvious that these pics are also a little bit small and I little bit grainy…

But even with that said, I really love how this looks put together like this

And I’m really happy with the results I got with the pose; the position of my open hand… the overall stance… and the fact that I managed that ‘Tough Guy’ grimace without turning my face into too much of a ‘POPEYE’ look! LOL

Anyway, hope you like it

On to me taking a crack at “Snake Tomb Indy”

The Original piece:

The fenris Painting version:

Same as before, this pic is also a little bit small and I little bit grainy (you know, it’s weird: it’s also seems pretty impossible to find a LARGE, Hi-Def version of the Steranko paintings)
But once again I was really thrilled seeing what fenris had put together for me…
Other things I was happy with: once again, the pose (which felt totally unnatural at the time, but seems to LOOK okay in the shot) and I especially like how my left arm (and even the wrinkles in the left sleeve of my leather jacket) ended up being such a good match with the painted Indy’s arm!

Oh, and this is pretty interesting:
fenris also did a sort of more “PhotoRealistic version” of the “Snake Tomb” piece …
It’s weird... but in a cool way

As I said in my earlier posts above, the outfits I put together for both of these pictures might not be what some might consider to be as accurate to the source material as possible… But I think they more or less did the job (and didn’t break the bank!)
Probably the number one thing I’m bummed about is the fact that I did go through the trouble of getting the ammo pouches to wear on the web belt, but you CAN’T actually SEE THEM in any of the shots!
LOL

Ah well…

Last thing that I’ll add (for now, anyway) is to mention something about how small these shots are:
First of all I want you to know that I Do still have the original files for the photos I had taken that day… Here’s a little piece of one of them just to show you that there’s a lot more detail in the shots originally taken on that day

Over the last couple of years I’d been meaning to have someone put some time into working with the original (LARGE) files of my photos in order to create a more elaborate version of what fenris had started …
Well, just this past week when I mentioned to a friend that I’d be posting these shots here, they offered to do a little work on those original shots and try to make something larger and clearer

I don’t know exactly WHEN I’ll have these latest versions of these two pictures… but when I do, I promise I’ll add them right here in this Thread (but with WAY LESS intro next time around)

Okay, thanks for your time, everyone

*Drops the Mic*

Post by **Michaelson** » Fri Feb 19, 2016 10:55 am

This topic has always been one of interest to the community, so I made it a 'sticky'.

Regard! Michaelson

ChrisMD · Post by **ChrisMD** » Fri Feb 19, 2016 11:11 am

Great pictures Mitch!!!

Bartram · Post by **Bartram** » Fri Feb 19, 2016 11:39 am

Mitch,
Those photos are amazing! I especially like the one in the dunes.
You nailed it.

Mic drop accepted;)

B

Mitch LaRue · Post by **Mitch LaRue** » Fri Feb 19, 2016 12:05 pm

Thanks, fellas
Very kind

Post by **Cajunkraut** » Fri Feb 19, 2016 12:57 pm

Well done, Mitch. Thanks for taking the time to close the loop!