Processing this photo: I took this 15 years ago with my first DSLR. I have come back to this image many times to see if I could do more with it. I never spent much time developing...

fergmark Loc: norwalk connecticut

I took this 15 years ago with my first DSLR. I have come back to this image many times to see if I could do more with it. I never spent much time developing color processing skills, I guess because I like black and white so much. This morning I decided to give this one a go in black and white. The color version here is what I think of as optimal. I like to try to keep it realistic. So first is the as-shot, followed by my adjustments and the black and white version I made earlier. Looking forward to any kind of feedback or comments regarding these edits, and I include the RAW file if you would like to experiment.

(Download)

(Download)

Attached file:
(Download)

watebo

Love the black and white!

fergmark Loc: norwalk connecticut

watebo wrote:

Love the black and white!

Well thats good feedback. Thanks for your input

bbrowner Loc: Chapel Hill, NC

When I have dealt with photos like this... I usually like to use a haze filter to bring out a little more contrast. However... in this case... my taste tells me that the first one has the most "feel" to it. For me... leave #1 alone.

IMHO

Incidentally... my daughter lives in Norwalk and teaches in New Canaan.

Barry

fergmark Loc: norwalk connecticut

bbrowner wrote:

When I have dealt with photos like this... I usually like to use a haze filter to bring out a little more contrast. However... in this case... my taste tells me that the first one has the most "feel" to it. For me... leave #1 alone.

IMHO

Incidentally... my daughter lives in Norwalk and teaches in New Canaan.

Barry

I assume then that you have been around this area to some extent with your daughter living here. Where does she teach? Your response to the photo was a little surprising since it seems most folks like to amp things up.

bbrowner Loc: Chapel Hill, NC

You are right. There is a lot of overdone stuff on this site. In this case I feel that #1 offers the feeling of tranquil

Don't do things just because you can!

New Canaan HS... world history.

Barry

R.G. Loc: Scotland

Going with the softness is the usual treatment for misty shots but it can be interesting to go for some vividness sometimes, especially when there's shafts of glorious sunshine to bring out. This is probably at the limit of what most would consider natural, but I've never found grey to be a particularly exciting option. I used split toning to accentuate the beams without having to resort to excessive contrast.
.

(Download)

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

fergmark wrote:

I took this 15 years ago with my first DSLR. I h... (show quote)

If you were looking for a vote in the direction of color, you asked the wrong guy. The contrast and clarity of the black and white version make this photo a winner. Color can only get in the way.
Erich

Jim-Pops Loc: Granbury, Texas

This picture could be edited in so setting many different moods. Morning, Evening, Mysterious, Ominous. both in color or black and white. To me this picture is perfect and there can't be any right or wrong. I think you could print 5 different looks to this and sell all of them.
This is good. 10 out of 10. 👍

I won't but could see me using this in a composite without hesitation.

fergmark Loc: norwalk connecticut

R.G. wrote:

Going with the softness is the usual treatment for misty shots but it can be interesting to go for some vividness sometimes, especially when there's shafts of glorious sunshine to bring out. This is probably at the limit of what most would consider natural, but I've never found grey to be a particularly exciting option. I used split toning to accentuate the beams without having to resort to excessive contrast.
.

Thanks R.G. Those beams are almost blinding. I will add the first shot I took for interest. It was a bright sunny day with a dense low fog in the isolated low area.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Mark, I love your b&w, though I might give it a little oomph later after my eyes clear up (dilated from optometrist visit, lol).

It is really neat to compare your edited color and R.G.'s - yours feels like the moment when the sun first hits the ground fog and his feels like the last few seconds before it is gone. What a special moment you captured!

fergmark Loc: norwalk connecticut

ebrunner wrote:

If you were looking for a vote in the direction of color, you asked the wrong guy. The contrast and clarity of the black and white version make this photo a winner. Color can only get in the way.
Erich

I'm not counting votes. I just think It has color possibilities that are beyond my skills. I do appreciate that you like the b/w so well, especially since that is my comfort zone in processing.

fergmark Loc: norwalk connecticut

Jim-Pops wrote:

This picture could be edited in so setting many different moods. Morning, Evening, Mysterious, Ominous. both in color or black and white. To me this picture is perfect and there can't be any right or wrong. I think you could print 5 different looks to this and sell all of them.
This is good. 10 out of 10. 👍

I won't but could see me using this in a composite without hesitation.

Jim, This was one of those times that you see something and know its really special. I was beside myself. I have printed several different versions. This being one I rather liked

fergmark Loc: norwalk connecticut

Linda From Maine wrote:

Mark, I love your b&w, though I might give it a little oomph later after my eyes clear up (dilated from optometrist visit, lol).

It is really neat to compare your edited color and R.G.'s - yours feels like the moment when the sun first hits the ground fog and his feels like the last few seconds before it is gone. What a special moment you captured!

By all means. Go crazy! After your eyeballs settle down.

fergmark Loc: norwalk connecticut

Now I have gone and tried something completely different. Clarity slider way down with a modification in split toning that brought out the blues. Then some detail sharpening in the lightness channel in lab color to keep it soft. Didn't expect to spend so much time re editing this photo today.

(Download)