gleneric Loc: Calgary, Alberta

A 3-shot HDR B&W processed in Photomatix Pro, handheld, at about -25 degrees (too cold for messing about with tripod!).

Rockies in Winter

llindstrand Loc: Seattle Metro

That does look cold! I am curious if you took originally in color and if so how do the two compare?
Swede

gleneric Loc: Calgary, Alberta

I honestly could not recall if I shot in colour or B&W, then it dawned on me: I always shoot in RAW so it would not matter. Here is a colour version of same HDR (I just quickly reprocessed to get this, working directly from the 3 RAW files). B&W must have seemed like a natural next step, as there is not a lot of colour in the shot to begin with.

colour version

llindstrand Loc: Seattle Metro

Thanks for showing me the color photo. After looking at both of them in Photoshop it's a tossup which way to go. It all depends on what your want from the photo. The color one can be edited up a little to where it would be more pleasing than it is now and possibly give it more impact. The black and white is pretty well as good as it can get. I have pictures of the Canadian Rockies from a year ago in color that definitely give more definition and color separation. However mine were taken in May and probably had more sun reflecting off the snow. Also we had gotten a small dusting of snow the night before so each ridge and crevice stood out and the snow was bright.

Also I have to admit to you that I am more favorable towards color and working with it. The past year; however, I have been working with some B&W and have gained more respect for it. Also I like some of the infrared pictures that are being produced. I'm sorry that you didn't get some more input from some of the other UHH members. I had hoped that someone else would have given you some advice.
Swede

gmcase Loc: Galt's Gulch

I am really torn beween the black and white versus the color version. I think I am slightly leaning toward the color version but both are very very pleasing. :thumbup:

Looking at it again I think the bw version wins. The moon or sun at the top is more defined and the tonal qualities are very very good. Th next time I look I may change mind again! :D

conkerwood

Just a few thoughts. I very clearly come down on the side of the colour version. That is not to say that this could not be a great B&W shot because I think it could but I think you have lost quite a bit of information in the shadows. If you look at the left hand slope at the tree line you will see much more detail in the treeline in the colour shot whereas this has all merged towards black in the B&W. I am only second guessing your settings but you might try adjusting the black point in Photomatix or selecting medium in lighting effects as these will sometimes bring out the shadows. The other alternative which I tend to use when I do venture into B&W is to process it in colour in photomatix and then do the conversion in photoshop. Still a damn fine pic though, I would have been delighted to have taken it.

Peter

gleneric Loc: Calgary, Alberta

Thanks for the feedback :)

gleneric Loc: Calgary, Alberta

Thanks Swede. The interesting twist here is that I initially had no real purpose for this photo other than to round out a selection I had to present in a photography class I was taking at the time (I generally shy away from -25 degree days for photos but this time I had no choice). So, the reality is (and I hate to have to admit it) I did not put a lot of effort into the processing. I knew the scene needed HDR as I stood there looking so I snapped off the 3-shot bracket without trying any other angles or focal lengths. Then loaded into Photomatix when I got home and almost accidentally ended up with the B&W version (my "roots" are engrained in B&W photography going back to my teen years).

I don't let myself get bothered by low levels of response from others on the forum. I find myself so busy these days that I often roll through other people's photos and don't bother commenting, or I would likely get so into it that I would be having to adjust my schedule to allow for more and more UHH commenting :)

gleneric Loc: Calgary, Alberta

Thanks for the feedback Peter.

I really didn't do much with the B&W version at the time it was taken, and realized the other day when I generated the colour version (to answer Swede's question) that it probably has some potential. In my "spare time" (whatever that is) I am going back over many of my older photos and seeing what I might do differently with them.

That B&W version is from Feb. 2010 and I was just barely dabbling with Photomatix at that time. As I mentioned in my response to Swede, this photo was born of necessity as I needed just one more winter/mountain shot to round out a presentation for a photography class I was taking at the time. My main purpose for being in that spot at that time was actually to get the photo looking 180 degrees in the other direction, looking over the valley below ... this one was more of a "while I am here why not take a quick shot the other way?" decision.

180 degrees the other way

llindstrand Loc: Seattle Metro

That one is a really beautiful picture which I know is possible in that area. I think you could take the first one in color and spruce it up a bit and it will look entirely different. Then it would surpass the B&W.
Swede

gleneric Loc: Calgary, Alberta

Thanks again. Definitely on my "to do" list for some rainy (or snowy) day when I don't have to work (I wish!), or can't be out playing golf, or can't go out and take pictures, or can't spend time with (and take pictures of) my adorable little granddaughter, or don't have to cut the lawn, or clean out the garage, or ...

You get the picture ... pun intended :)