Getting to know my 35 Art, +B&W too

Hey there -

Recently picked up a (new-to-me) Sigma 35 1.4 Art lens. It hasn't left my camera since I received it as I try and get used to f/1.4 and the focal length - I am really liking it so far! I was also working on some B&W conversions.

Let me know what you think, please!

1.

Could I at least get some opinions/critiques on the B&W conversions? Pleeeeeeease!

B&W conversion looks good.

The pic of the forest is just too busy or confusing. Not really sure what you want the viewer to look at.

The empty space behind the boys remind me of horror movies. Like something is gonna creep up behind them anytime....

the 4th picture is quite good. the lens looks good and nice good results.

You should be happy.

Aswald wrote in post #17510294
B&W conversion looks good.

The pic of the forest is just too busy or confusing. Not really sure what you want the viewer to look at.

The empty space behind the boys remind me of horror movies. Like something is gonna creep up behind them anytime....

That forest picture - honestly not 100% sure. I liked the light coming through the trees and the shadows. When I got the images on my computer I was trying a few of them in B&W and I liked the look of it so I thought I would post it here and get some opinions! Thank you for letting me know how you feel about it.

Haha, something creeping out of the forest - it sure can feel that way sometimes. I'm guessing most of that feeling is coming from the B&W conversion!

Color versions of both photos are available on my zenfolio link in signature.

Mark0159 wrote in post #17510337
the 4th picture is quite good. the lens looks good and nice good results.

You should be happy.

Thanks, appreciate it!

freestylee30 wrote in post #17510560
That forest picture - honestly not 100% sure. I liked the light coming through the trees and the shadows. When I got the images on my computer I was trying a few of them in B&W and I liked the look of it so I thought I would post it here and get some opinions! Thank you for letting me know how you feel about it.

Haha, something creeping out of the forest - it sure can feel that way sometimes. I'm guessing most of that feeling is coming from the B&W conversion!

Color versions of both photos are available on my zenfolio link in signature.

Thanks, appreciate it!

That's pretty cool response.

Yes, the light shining through the foliage in the forest is what I liked best about it. Regardless, the b&w conversion looks good.

Btw, good looking boys.

one - close ups are tough with wide lenses, and the backlight (that round bokeh looking thing, the sun? :P right on the flower) hurts this image. looks maybe OOF, stop down just a touch with those high contrast scenes, i see some CA creeping in.

two - again, close ups with wide lenses. boring light, boringer composition.

three - nice shot, kinda awkward expression. my kids are the worst about that, i've just about given up getting them to look at the camera.

four - good shot but cropped a bit high on his torso which left too much head room.

five - this had a lot of potential, i see what you were going for. the skinny tree sticking up right in the center is what blows it for me. Try some more of these type shots.


b/w conversions are looking good, full tonal range, good contrast.

seems like you are doing a lot of pics of the boys along roadsides and trails, might give a few shots at something else.

cropped and curved.

i gotta have black blacks and usually white whites, but especially anything backlit that just cries out for more contrast. notice i blew out the bokeh sun, and the subject/point of interest now isolated, pops off the background. The curve is steepest in the mids which, not accidentally, is where the tones in the flower lie. Now the definition in the flower petals is much greater.

btw, after getting it in Ps, i think you nailed focus. The lack of contrast on the flower petals made it look soft.

Thanks for the CC LHB, appreciate it! That edit and explanation above are fantastic. I like what you achieved there, thank you!

Left Handed Brisket wrote in post #17512267
three - nice shot, kinda awkward expression. my kids are the worst about that, i've just about given up getting them to look at the camera.

I bet we could have an epic competition of "awkward" expression shots... or expressions are just too strange, crazy, aggravating - pick some other adjective!

Left Handed Brisket wrote in post #17512267
four - good shot but cropped a bit high on his torso which left too much head room.

I see what you mean about the bottom crop - unfortunately I think this is the composition I got. Maybe some off the top might help, I'll take a look at that.

Left Handed Brisket wrote in post #17512267
seems like you are doing a lot of pics of the boys along roadsides and trails, might give a few shots at something else.

Yes! Combining a couple of my favorite things in life