New to photography & Black n' white!

[yarga]

I just bought myself a 20d and took this pic the day it came on a field above my house. I have been playing with this pic in photoshop to make it more interesting.... What do you think, any hints & tips with B&W?

http://www.oracletrading.co.uk/samhoward/images/sky2.jpg original.

http://www.oracletrading.co.uk/samhoward/images/sky2_1.jpg PP'd

[FlexiPack]

I think that's a good B&W conversion, personally i like the field a little lighter as it's a bit dark at the bottom and kind of blends in with the trees a bit

good job though

[yarga]

Thanks, I can see what you mean. I'll have another play.

[yarga]

I think it look much better now:
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1327/1433665976_b65a90969e.jpg

[NotEnoughWaves]

I think it look much better now:
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1327/1433665976_b65a90969e.jpg

Forgive me, but I think the first B&W is better. I think the first one is more of a full-scale photo, which is that your blacks are BLACK and your whites are WHITE. I've been taking a B&W 35mm class and I know this is digital and it differs from film but that's just what I see.

Good job either way! :)

[yarga]

Thanks for the comments.
I see your point too, maybe if I make some of the clouds a bit darker it would complete the scale.
I like how the top of the sky look darker in some photos.
Do you like the warm filter on the newer one?

I just finished playing with thi photo also...
What you think?
http://oracletrading.co.uk/samhoward/fp/fp_samuisunrise3.jpg

[yarga]

this is really helpfull, I feel like I am learning lots. I don't meant to post up all of my photo for comment:)

[R00KIE]

nice work!

[NotEnoughWaves]

Thanks for the comments.
I see your point too, maybe if I make some of the clouds a bit darker it would complete the scale.
I like how the top of the sky look darker in some photos.
Do you like the warm filter on the newer one?

I just finished playing with thi photo also...
What you think?
http://oracletrading.co.uk/samhoward/fp/fp_samuisunrise3.jpg

I like this one. You're doing well. Ijust think that whatever is in the bottom right corner is a bit on the distracting side since I can't really tell exactly what it is..

[FlexiPack]

I think it look much better now:
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1327/1433665976_b65a90969e.jpg

I do prefer this 2nd edit with the lightened foreground. I like your second shot too, nice colours

[nitsuj]

I'm with NotEnoughWaves on the 2nd photo, you should crop to get the distraction out of the photo.

[forsakenme720]

I like the lighter 2nd edit better. Good job.

[yarga]

I like this one. You're doing well. Ijust think that whatever is in the bottom right corner is a bit on the distracting side since I can't really tell exactly what it is..

Thanks!
The dark object is rocks in the seconds photo, I see what you mean about it being distracting as there isn't enough of it to show what it is. I will play with the framing and post it back.

[yarga]

I wish I could take the first photo again and get more of the field in. I think the horizon is too low in the photo.

[yarga]

http://www.oracletrading.co.uk/samhoward/laem-set-sunrise.jpg
Man I hate cropping photos, It never quite looks right.
Now that I have cropped it the horizon is off center, I don't want to crop the sky as it is the main attraction of the photo and I like the deep blue at the top, I could crop of the bottom and make it into thirds. I does look better without the rocks and the branches in.

[yarga]

Wait I think this one is better...
http://oracletrading.co.uk/samhoward/laem-set-sunrise2.jpg
lol. I wish I was more decisive.