AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

So I decided to do a bit more playing. I thought this image might be a good candidate for B&W as it had some contrast to it and wasn't too busy. Thanks to Cany, I worked to include some foreground interest when I shot this. I didn't like all the weeds, but I did like the boulders that were there. I started with a pretty bland image (see the original jpeg) and did some LR work first - took the highlights down a lot and the shadows up a bit, added some clarity and a bit of contrast. Then, it went to Topaz Sharpen for stablizing work. Then it was off to SE where I applied a red filter to bring up the sky a bit and in one of the other settings (don't remember what it's called), I took the sensitivity to blue down a touch.

So, suggestions? Recommendations? And THANKS!

The original converted to jpeg

(Download)

My temporary final image

(Download)

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

Marvelous, My suggestion is, if you can't hold detail in that big top center cloud, I would crop it off. The composition will not suffer.

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

Thanks for your comment. I was more concerned about the clouds in the upper right than the center one. I'll see what can be done.

big-guy Loc: Peterborough Ontario Canada

Interesting, before I read the comments I was scrolling the photo up to crop the very top and decided to crop to the top of the mountain on the right. This left half the cloud but tended to create the natural top border. Just my 2 cents.

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

Definitely a more dramatic shot in B&W, Kathy.

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

Very impressive in B&W. Love the downlod.

Cany143 Loc: SE Utah

Mind if I get sort of nit-picky? Hope not....

First, though, a question. Caption above #1 says, 'the original converted to jpeg.' Question then is: does that mean the original was captured as a raw file? If so --and potentially even if not-- rather more could be easily and very quickly done.

The 'original' appears to be slightly overexposed, maybe 1/2 to 1 stop so. In Lr, reducing exposure globally
would likely have brought a little more texture into the clouds, and would likewise have provided a little more to 'work' locally in the foreground grasses. Additional tweaks (a mix of contrast, texture, etc.) using either (or both) radial and/or graduated filters on localized sections prior to what you'd done either pre- or post-conversion to B&W would've helped, too.

You've indicated many times you try to maintain a sort of 'realism' or veracity in what you shoot and how you process. That's fine and often to be desired, of course, but to do so doesn't necessarily mean you can't or shouldn't alter select portions of an image for an aesthetics sake. In this instance, I mean 'alter' in the sense that providing a little more separation between the tones seen in the presently like tones in the cloud/ridgeline top in the upper right, and improving those would, I think, be preferable. Similarly, the lack of tonal separation between the cloud/distant mountain/horizon line seen in the gap of the trees slightly above center image could be made a little more defined without introducing falsity or fakeness.

Re: each of your posted images: Content: 9+ Composition: 8 Actualization (processing) 7

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

A memorable photo, and terrific feedback from others - seeing and discussing elements from which we can all learn. Thank you!

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

And I appreciate your 2 cents. I'm going to look at the cloud again.

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

Thanks, Mike. It does come across a bit more, doesn't it.

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

Thanks, Carol.

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

I thought I stated (maybe I meant to and forgot) that my camera was malfunctioning and not metering correctly. That's why the original is so underexposed. (The camera is currently in the hospital.) I did my "normal" LR adjustments (exposure, highlights down, clarity up, etc.) before going to SE. And I ran it through Topaz Sharpen also. In one of the other images I posted, I actually did some burning of the upper hill areas to darken it a bit. I didn't do that in this one. But I'll look at that.

I have to laugh at your grading. Actually, I appreciate it! But knowing that I really dislike the processing part, I think that's a pretty high mark! (I would almost rather wash windows.)

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

Thanks, Linda. Care to add your 2 cents?

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Everything has been covered already; I'm just enjoying the ride on this one

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!