Foggy BW

[atenkley]

Hi all,

We had a foggy morning last week and I came upon this scene. I tried to contrast the various forms of the trees in this back lit situation. I used the auto mode on my Pro1...so it was taken at f 4.0, 1/500. Handheld, no cropping, converted to grayscale in Corel PhotoPaint with an unsharp filter applied.



Looking for feedback:1. Composition..I would have liked the upper curved branch completely in the picture, as well as more of the rounded oak tree on the left.

2. Exposure...is it posible to get less contrast in this situation..the foreground with more detail?
3. Is the focus proper? I guess DOF would be improved by stopping down to f 8.0..
4. The original is rather monochromatic. What is the proper way to convert to a BW image...as I did, to grayscale, or desaturate...or....?
5. Any other suggestions?

http://www.magnoliacoastdesign.com/PhotoGallery/Forum/IMG_1921bwmed.jpg

[Radtech1]

The only suggestion that I have is "Frame It and Hang It"

1) Composition is very good - nice balance the DARK haggard tree balanced with the lighter fuller tree behind. Rule of thirds observed vertically and horizontally. Good, good. I like the two major angles, the turf and the haggard tree leaning into it. Well done. The branch you show is very appealing. Looks kind of like a sickle - symbolic - not only did the grim reaper touch this tree, he left his tool.

2) Exposure is perfect. I would not want the forground any more detailed. Could only distract from the wickedly cool patterns in the branches. In fact, If it were my shot, I would burn the forground some, especially where the Stray Branch decends.

3) Focus is ideal

4) In this case, greyscale worked fine. I don't know of any plugins for Corel that could do any better. When you sell a few of these shots, pony up the $$$ for Photoshop, then you can use Fred Mirandas BandW Workflow Pro.

5) Like I said, "Frame It and Hang It".

Very Well Done,

Rad

Upon closer observaion, your work is excellent all around. I especially like:
img_1620a_std, img_1267a_filtered_std, img_0456a_std, img_0039_std, img_0189a_std (but I would selectively drop the saturation in the blues and greens), and you should repeat img_0615_std and have him face away, or in profile.

Obliquely, if you like fishing, please buy some jigs from my brother-in-law (http://www.rainbowjigs.com).

[atenkley]

Rad,

Thanks for your thoughtful feedback. I really appreciate your comments and suggestions.

"Grim Reaper", eh? Yah, does seem appropriate!

I enjoyed your brother-in law's site....I'm displaced from the Pacific Northwest and do miss the steelhead. Actually, I may be able to use some of his items here in the south!

[rick barclay]

Beautiful gallery. Some of them remind of the White River area around Swansboro, N.C.

[atenkley]

Thanks Rick, I'll have to add White River to my list of places to visit..

[jgbeam]

I like this shot a lot. Wouldn't change a thing. :)

Jim

[CDickinson]

Well done....

C

[atenkley]

Thanks everyone.

[Hellashot]

I think it's a tad dark.

[atenkley]

Thanks for your observation, Hellashot. I'll definitely check out a brighter adjustment.

[MattSG]

I like the darkness of it. It's a nice departure from the norm, and having some details underexposed adds to the feel. Sometimes it's good to break the rules...this is one of those cases.

I like this shot, great job.

[Youngster]

That is simply a killer shot, in every sense of the phrase. It's so dark and scary yet it's very beautiful .


GREAT!