Black and White
Let me know what you think
I really like this photo. The only thing I would change is the color on the leaves. To me, it takes away from the bridge, I am assuming you wanted the bridge to be the attraction in the photo and the first thing my eyes went to were the tree leaves. Great photo though!!!
Yea im mixed on that also. but without the leaves it just didnt look that good
au2panner wrote:
Yea im mixed on that also. but without the leaves it just didnt look that good
Personally, I think it would look great with just the bridge colored. But you have to be happy with it!!!!! It is a GREAT shot!!!!!
well thats 2 for no leaves maybe ill do that!
I just LOVE the bridge as a leading line which leads the eye to the colored leaves. What about leaving the bridge black and white? That way it doesn't compete with the leaves. Just a thought...
You know, I think the issue is cropping. If you cropped the top part of the image to say about the crook of the tree on the right, I think the bridge would be much more the focal point of the picture and just a hint of the yellow on the leaves would be in the frame. The problem for me now is that the trees beyond the bridge as a whole don't give me much information and so are not that interesting visually. You've tried to add interest artificially with the yellow leaves. But I think better composition would enhance the image -- which, as I suggested, should be more about the bridge. So bring the bridge up more to the center of the photo and see what you think.
This would be a great photo if you left it as black and white and cleaned up the composition by cropping. This is a photoshop trick and says nothing about your skills as a photographer. Draw interest by making good pictures, not smoke and mirrors.
I didn't take the picture, I just did the black and white with color thing to it. She wanted it like this and is happy with it. But I am with everyone here on what would look better.
I hope you don't mind me fooling around with your print but I brought the bridge out with more contrast and saturation.
Then darkened the back ground and fore ground area to draw your eye to the bridge.
I guess maybe I'm too much of a fundamentalist when it comes to some things but both versions look to me a lot like driving a car down the road with bare metal showing except with one fender painted. Why? - I would be compelled to ask. I mean, it's a cute gimmick but has already been overworked. Is that where we're headed just because we can - a gimmick in every pot. Where from there? Please pardon my cynicism but it's an absolutely wonderful image either color or b&w. This is hardly an improvement although one can have it with or without. I'll be glad when this fad runs its course. Maybe it's just too early in the morning or perhaps I just need more coffee but I have to remind you folks - "it ain't nice to fool mother nature!" If I ever find myself out in the woods and come across something like that, I'll be calling Scotty to beam me up. :roll:
gessman wrote:
I guess maybe I'm too much of a fundamentalist when it comes to some things but this looks to me a lot like driving a car down the road with bare metal showing except with one fender painted. Why? - I would be compelled to ask. I mean, it's a cute gimmick but is that where we're headed. Where from there? It's a wonderful image either color or b&w. This is hardly an improvement. I'll be glad when this fad runs its course. Maybe it's just too early in the morning - more coffee, please. If I ever find myself out in the woods and come across something like that, I'll be calling Scotty to beam me up. :roll:
I guess maybe I'm too much of a fundamentalist whe... (
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I sometimes wonder the same thing and then catch myself doing it!!! I have wondered what has happened to letting a photo be a photo. I try not to go overboard fancy and try to enjoy the image in color or black and white and let that be it!!!
I like the pic as it is, but I do see from the composition cropping of the last pic how much better it looks. I also think the bridge is to yellow..looses it's wood feel...less natural...but the composition sure works better...Good work and I do like to fool around with photoshop layers...It can be used to enhance the focal point of a very good photo and still reveal talent...!
I it does loose its patina when you lighten it a bit.
I do like old school too so I have two old 35 MM cameras.
I agree Photoshop can be over used but if it is my shot and I use it to accomplish what I want I think it is ok.
I used to make changes in the darkroom before Photoshop too and used filters on my lenses.
We all use things to make our prints better unless you use a pinhole camera ,flash , zoom lens etc.
I didn't mean to imply that I was an abolitionist fundamentalist with no sense of humor 8-). I think we should do everything we can to make our images as appealing as possible but turning a lovely image into a surrealistic flea market novelty fit only for the front of a ratty t-shirt isn't my idea of an improvement, no offense. I love well done HDR and intend to engage increasingly therein because my images have never had the visual impact I've desired. Even with filters, Velvia 50 film, large format, digital post-processing, etc., cameras have just never been able to capture the beauty I see with my eyes and HDR is a step closer in that direction. Maybe before I get my ticket punched we'll move even closer. I've seen a lot come and go in my all too brief 75 years and I'm looking forward to the next phases of legitimate improvement in photography, gradual though it may be.
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