Where there is choice, there is misery...

Or maybe just mild irritation. For certain I know that I've kept going back to this picture off and on for the past year, wondering . So I have a few questions for you:

First: Which works better for you, the B&W or the color?
Second: Honestly, neither one seems to "pop," as it were. Is there something I should be doing in PP to make it stand up a bit and get some attention? I thought maybe creating an HDR to open up the contrasty shadows? Crop it? I don't know.
Third: That's just it, I don't know. Maybe it's the subject that's flat and not the picture. What do you think?

Since the initial post I've added an HDR image (See below).

EXIF: 1/13 @ f22 ISO 100. 17mm

UPDATE: The color version was accidentally deleted. Crap. All that remains now is the B&W and the HDR, both adjusted using Chappie's gradient fill suggestion. Live and learn. Think before you click.

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'text/html' | Byte size: ZERO

HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/png' | Redirected to error image by ZENFOLIO PROTECTED

I would say a good start would be cropping a bit tighter.

I like the B&W and the HDR version, and I would agree about the tighter cropping, although I'm still a beginner. Seems to be too much of the road in the photo...that's all my eye keeps going back to.

Love the subject though

The HDR version ought to wake up a lot of people on the forum who don't seem to understand what HDR processing can do - easily.

But that is beside the point, because you were asking about B & W vs color as your primary issue.

I don't think I can be truly objective, because I spent most of my life competing in B & W and have the drawers full of ribbons to prove it. So long as you are willing to see it from my point of view, then I can tell you why I like the B & W of this scene better than the color.

First, it has more inherent contrast. Contrast by virtue of different colors is OK, but the contrast between the lights and darks of a monochrome have more impact.

Second, the monochrome sets a definite mood - old time. Yes, the pre-war era, the 20's and 30's. Color is inconsistent with that. So, if you want to take this particular scene and treat it correctly for its era, it cries out for B & W.

So, while I really like the HDR version, I would prefer to give wall space to the monochrome. There are some really wild and wooly HDR images out there, if that's your thing, but this scene is brought to life in B & W.

I love what you have done with the Black/White and the HDR conversion.

For either image, there is further improvement by applying a gradient to darken the road. The eye is then drawn more to the buildings and negates the need for further cropping...

Chappie, I like your gradient edit as it helps me keep my road, that big empty road. I've been resistent to crop/minimize it because I wanted to keep that part of the story intact, if you follow my meaning.

I tried to duplicate your results on my own, but mine ended up a tad on the dark side. My presumption is that you used a gradient fill as an adjustment layer and then...what? Lowered the opacity? Changed the % scale? Maybe both? Don't I have a lot of questions? I'd appreciate it if you could let me know. I'm just getting started in Photoshop, and I find myself staggering under the weight of all those options, adjustments...choices. Thus the title of this thread

Mr. Lay--

Thank you for your comments. I do appreciate them.

I think you're right about B&W being the right choice for the subject. That was my first impulse as well. But since entering the digital realm, I've had my gyro knocked off its axis with the seemingly endless possibilities. Nothing drastic, just a little wobble, but I end up second guessing myself all the time.

I agree with you, too, about those "wild and woolly" HDR images. I'm not too fond of many of them I see. They want for restraint. But they can be marvelous when the enthusiams are kept on a tight line. Just my preference, of course.

I added the gradient directly to the image then used fade from the edit menu to lessen the effect but you got the drift

chappie wrote in post #5843637
I added the gradient directly to the image then used fade from the edit menu to lessen the effect but you got the drift

Great! And thanks again.

Howzitboy--

Thanks! And no, don't mind at all. Indeed, I appreciate the effort. Your edit certainly makes for more dramatic contrast, to be sure. Something to keep in mind. Is this tool similar to what you can do in curves?

just make a new layer, set as overlay, fill in with 50% grey and just burn/dodge that layer till u like it. Great part, u mess up, delete layer and start over.

oops forgot i added a high pass to it but i should have lowered opacity/fill a bit. Bit too contrasty but thats what u get when u try PS with your daughter playing her ds-light on your lap asking how to play game haha.