Trying My Hand at B&W
Dec 26, 2018 16:58:18 #
I rarely, if ever, work in B & W. Sort of a personal preference. However since this forum has been introduced I have been in awe of some of the B&W images shown here particularly by rmalarz. Since this forum is about improving our skills I decided to take the plunge (besides it is raining out side and I'm trapped indoors). Here then is an image I've been working on most of the afternoon. This is from Rocky Mountain NP showing Long's Peak rising above Bear Lake at sunset.
This was not created with a one button B/W click. I worked my way through this slider by slider in Lightroom.
All critiques eagerly accepted since I have no idea what I'm doing. Truth will be much appreciated. Thanks.
This was not created with a one button B/W click. I worked my way through this slider by slider in Lightroom.
All critiques eagerly accepted since I have no idea what I'm doing. Truth will be much appreciated. Thanks.
Dec 26, 2018 17:19:25 #
Dec 26, 2018 17:40:26 #
Dec 26, 2018 18:09:06 #
It's a great image to work with and I really like the threatening sky. Personally, I'd lighten things up just a tad to bring out details. Converting to B&W is always a fun process - keep it up!
Dec 26, 2018 18:18:59 #
Dec 26, 2018 18:27:26 #
SueScott wrote:
It's a great image to work with and I really like the threatening sky. Personally, I'd lighten things up just a tad to bring out details. Converting to B&W is always a fun process - keep it up!
Thanks for commenting Sue. It looked a lot lighter on my screen but I made it a bit lighter. Will this work??
Dec 26, 2018 18:33:18 #
treadwl wrote:
Thanks for commenting Sue. It looked a lot lighter on my screen but I made it a bit lighter. Will this work??
Much better! I've noticed that pictures posted here seem to be darker than on my monitor and I frequently have to go back and lighten before reposting.
Dec 26, 2018 18:38:09 #
SueScott wrote:
Much better! I've noticed that pictures posted here seem to be darker than on my monitor and I frequently have to go back and lighten before reposting.
Would you believe that the sky was a rosy pink and a pretty sunset. Now it looks stormy. I'm not opposed to stormy. Viewers would never know unless I tell them. Just something for me to think about.
Dec 26, 2018 19:14:05 #
As for the conversion, it looks terrific IMO, with a really nice range of tones.
My eye doesn't like the blur of the reflection, yet I'm positive that aspect of the composition would be 100% acceptable in color. It seems like most b&w landscapes are either crisp throughout or soft throughout. Can that be true? Food for thought...or a share/discussion topic?
My eye doesn't like the blur of the reflection, yet I'm positive that aspect of the composition would be 100% acceptable in color. It seems like most b&w landscapes are either crisp throughout or soft throughout. Can that be true? Food for thought...or a share/discussion topic?
Dec 26, 2018 19:44:44 #
treadwl wrote:
Thanks for commenting Sue. It looked a lot lighter on my screen but I made it a bit lighter. Will this work??
For someone who is just dabbling in black and white, you really nailed it! Not only the range of tones, but the composition, subject matter, and workmanship. That is a stunner. I think ol' Ansel Adams would be proud of that.
Dec 27, 2018 01:34:57 #
Linda From Maine wrote:
As for the conversion, it looks terrific IMO, with a really nice range of tones.
My eye doesn't like the blur of the reflection, yet I'm positive that aspect of the composition would be 100% acceptable in color. It seems like most b&w landscapes are either crisp throughout or soft throughout. Can that be true? Food for thought...or a share/discussion topic?
My eye doesn't like the blur of the reflection, yet I'm positive that aspect of the composition would be 100% acceptable in color. It seems like most b&w landscapes are either crisp throughout or soft throughout. Can that be true? Food for thought...or a share/discussion topic?
Great thought. I like this image a lot, especially the lightened second version.
But your comment is spot on. We accept these impressionistic impressions far more readily in color than in b/w. I wonder why?
Andy
Dec 27, 2018 06:12:19 #
I prefer the original. It's not like you've lost any noticeable detail in the shadows and the overall 'darkness' really adds menace to the clouds. I can't see any more in the reflection on the lightened image and I feel the clouds are becoming wishy washy.
Dec 27, 2018 07:29:24 #
Dec 27, 2018 07:45:43 #
treadwl wrote:
Would you believe that the sky was a rosy pink and a pretty sunset. Now it looks stormy. I'm not opposed to stormy. Viewers would never know unless I tell them. Just something for me to think about.
I found a great tool for the mac called nocturne , the night mode changes the screen output to black & white, it's kind of handy when you are looking through the lightroom catalog to spot candidates for a proper black & white conversion.
Dec 27, 2018 07:58:41 #
Really great to see you getting into b/w. No matter where you finally settle the slider positions, you often are sacrificing certain areas for others, so some followup with burn and dodge can be very beneficial. I think the image would have a whole different feel to it, had the shutter speed not been so slow. Could be the separation that enhances the color doesn't work as well in b/w.
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