bv52gyf Loc: Kincardine, Scotland

Ok, this is my 4th attempt to load this.

Hi everyone,

I have been experimenting with dodge and burn using lightroom and I am hoping for lots of advice in the form of C&C.

This is my first image and I am really looking for ways that I can improve on this image.
What can I do to improve it ( and how please)

As usual all of your comments are really helping me improve, so thank you all very much. I can really see the differences in my images now from where i was 12 months ago.

Andy

original image

Pictxterowner 3 D sbs

The percentage of keepers range form one guy to the next, sometimes it is hard to part with a very nice photo like this.
I fear the fact that it is out of focus is something I think you may never overcome with this particular piece. :( but I could be wrong.

GWR100 Loc: England

Andy I have a method of conversion, but I am of to Dartmoor on a shoot for a few days, but I will get some info to you after the weekend.

Geoff

DwsPV Loc: South Africa

Hi Andy

I like what you've done, just because I love BW images, especially if crafted carefully. I am glad you took the dust spots?? off the original.

You have highlighted the building nicely so my eye is drawn to that first, and then somehow I notice the speeding train. Is that the true object of the photo, or the building?

I made some alterations to your picture, hopefully getting more light on the train and building, but working with a Jpeg, just does not add the depth that a RAW image does, so some noise and loss of sharpness has crept in.

I use Silver Efex Pro for my BW conversions, after editing and getting the right feel in Lightroom 5. I edit all in color, then at the end do a LR convert to BW. Then go to my color settings and play with blue, red, green etc to get the black and white feel I want. Yes in BW mode you can still edit colors.

If I want any grunge or other effect, I then take it to Silver Efex and use one of their presets. If you have a look on my dwsphotovideo.com link, I actually posted some BW images this morning.

Overall, I like your picture and I do not think you should do too much more to it.

Hope this helps you?

Take care
DwsPV

Chinaman Loc: Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

The downloaded image looks much better. On the whole, there are 3 things I would change in your image, 1, Clean up the spots in the sky and the white spots in the water/bank. 2. Lighten the blacks under the arches of the bridge to show some details and less of the vignetting. 3. Trim off about a quarter of the bottom so that we quickly zoom into the elements to explore. A pano view will work well for this image. I don't use LR so can't tell you how to achieve my suggestions.

bv52gyf Loc: Kincardine, Scotland

Thanks very much for taking the time to comment. I really like this style of conversion and will be practising more. You advice will help me going forward.

Andy

bv52gyf Loc: Kincardine, Scotland

Many thanks, I hadn't noticed the spots before, must pay more attention. I like your idea to trim and lighten beneath the bridge too.

Thanks again for taking time to help.

Andy