Photolady2014 Loc: Southwest Colorado

I like number 2, it pops more. I could see darkening the foreground some, but not much. It, as always, is personal choice, but I tend to like brighter and contrast. But not always!

Could you take the second into LR and use the graduated filter and just lighten it a tad. I see some think it is too dark. I don’t really mind it, but you could try and see what you think.

At any rate both are nice, but 2 grabs me!

JimH123 Loc: Morgan Hill, CA

In Lightroom, if you go to the Color Profile, and use the pull down menu, and then choose B&W, there are 17 choices for B&W conversion. This is where I go for conversion to B&W. It starts with B&W 01 and goes to B&W 12, then B&W with 5 different filter options.

The B&W look is different depending on which B&W option you choose. Can you try that and see if you can find something that improves the contrast without darkening the sky?

I did try looking at the two using full screens - one on each of my two monitors and yes, the Sky is destroyed in the 2nd image. But the contrast is also too much in the 2nd image. I suspect within those 17 B&W options there is one that will be the Goldilocks choice, i.e. Just Right.

Also, Silver Efex Pro has a number of presets to choose from. When I do IR images, I tend to like "Wet Rocks" a lot. But you aren't doing IR, so one of the other preset options might be really good too. Suggest you try High Structure (Smooth) as a starting point.

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

So, do you mean lighten a portion of the image? If so, may I assume you mean the sky part? I actually tried that, but I still had that sort of wierd line that looks like it's a cloud and not sky. I tried masking that part and taking the contrast way down, and that didn't work either. Silver Efex did something funny there, and I can't seem to get around it. I do agree that the foreground in the second has more pop, and I like it.

And thanks!

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

The first is done in LR B&W. I looked at the possibilities and decided to just let it do its thing. It's OK. I'm not real familiar with Silver Efex (I sort of forget I have it), so I wasn't aware of its presets. I'll look at that.
Thanks!

Photolady2014 Loc: Southwest Colorado

You know, I don’t mind the white part at the bottom of the sky. Makes me think of a cloud or fog. I just thought lightening the top dark part could help. Personally I think it is good just the way it is.

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

Thanks! I tried lightening it, but it didn't seem to work. I like the sky in the first one better. Just can't figure out how to get the bottom of one with the top of the other. I'm sure people really good at PP work could do that, but my knowledge is pretty basic.

JimH123 Loc: Morgan Hill, CA

Can you make the RAW available for others to try?

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

I'd love to, but I'm never successful at uploading images that size. I don't know if I can put it somewhere that people would have access to it or not. I've never done that.

JimH123 Loc: Morgan Hill, CA

Try this. Go to www.wetransfter.com. It is a free service to transfer large files. Once you go into it, load your RAW image and send it to yourself. When the email is sent to you, there will be a link in the email that provides a way to access the file. Paste that link into a reply to this thread. The link is good for just 1 week and then it expires.

Here is an example, although not as interesting as your example you were working with. But note that the sky did not turn dark in the 3rd image, but the detail was made to pop a bit more.

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Adding one more example showing what Silver Efex Pro can do using the Hi Structure (Smooth) preset. Notice the bark of the tree.

original

(Download)

Lightroom conversion to B&W (the single button option)

(Download)

Silver Efex Pro conversion to B&W, using High Structure (smooth) preset

(Download)

Original (with DxO processing) converted to B&W

(Download)

Alternative conversion to B&W using SilverEfexPro - Hi Structure (Smooth)

(Download)

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

Thanks, Jim. Will do.

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

OK. Is this the way it's supposed to work? https://wetransfer.com/downloads/7ba932e91029c021b0f228827ecb806520221119193207/e85ba04fb0d67669ead35d3eb77d773120221119193238/a9d4f4?trk=TRN_TDL_01&utm_campaign=TRN_TDL_01&utm_medium=email&utm_source=sendgrid

Or is this what you need? https://we.tl/t-I0NdTVPBws

JimH123 Loc: Morgan Hill, CA

Doesn't matter. Both links work. I just downloaded and will look at them.

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

Thanks!

JimH123 Loc: Morgan Hill, CA

I have given it a try. First, I tried all the various B&W options in Lightroom, and several of them were really good, but I am not including them. This is where you go to the pull down menu in Lightroom Profile and chhose Browse and then go down the page until you find B&W01 thru 12 and B&W with 5 different colored filters.

But I am also including what I got from Silver Efex Pro and I used harsh instead of smooth. When returned to Lightroom, I also reduced contrast just a bit and darkened the image just a bit too. I allowed the sky to darken just a bit. Also took out a rather large dust spot in the center of the sky which had grown in size with the f/20 aperture being used. Need to get out your rocket blower and blast the sensor with some air blasts.

It is a very interesting picture and I like it a lot. The Silver Efex Pro really added something to the image and made it pop. I suspect I could do the same a couple other ways too. If using DxO, the micro contrast could affect it in the same positive way.

You found a very good angle to shoot this from. Definitely grabs one's attention. And in B&W, I find it more appealing than the color version. The B&W conveys the idea that we are looking at something old. And the added structure Silver Efex Pro added conveys the ruggedness of life in the olden days. Makes me picture in my mind cowboys working this coral in the hot summer heat protected from the sun by their cowboy hats and wearing their sweat soaked bandanas around their necks.

You can hang this one on your wall. It's a beautiful picture.

Converted to B&W in Lightroom with B&W Button

(Download)

Silver Efex Pro - Harsh -- I like this more than Smooth

(Download)

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

So the answer is to use Silver Efex, but harsh? I'll try that. At least you didn't get that wierd thing in the sky!!! Thanks!