BW Conversion--as good as it can be?

[lynnesite]

http://lynnesite.smugmug.com/photos/38814600-L.jpg

[rutt]

Hard to know without seeing the original.

[lynnesite]

guess we're not supposed to do that here--it's my first time. How about a critique only, then? :D

[Andy]

it's an engaging scene. i find, though, that there's not enough of the trees upper left and right to give me the sense of proper "framing." there's not much detail in the blacks, that's ok for some shots, this one included. i think you could improve dramatically with a 9-11% luminosity toning layer.

luminosity toning in photoshop

ctrl-alt-~
new fill layer (solid color) and choose the color you want
chg layer blend to "color"
ctrl-i to invert (try it either way)

now use opacity, mask, either or both to fine tune

you can do this with multpile colors (one per layer) and get a really good cross-toned effect

[ginger_55]

Yup!

I am starting to notice that lame tree thing in some of my shots, too. Maybe I am starting to get a taste of the ability to critique some of my own. Hint, if you had a really, really strong subject probably people wouldn't comment, but it is starting to bother me in my shots.

I guess this is a wake up to remember to frame better. Playing with toning would be interesting. And could make people forget about the trees. I understood what Andy said until he kind of mumbled out with the fine tuning and mask........... I might try it some time, though.

It is really a nice tree in the middle and I do love fog. Something is off, though, just my humble opinion.

ginger

[ian408]

Cut that thing down, I can't see the ocean :D

The solitary tree with a frame of trees is nice. Overall, I like this shot.
With regard to the PP, I feel that the tree is too dark given the rest of the
scene. For framing, I might pull back a bit to include the branches from
the other trees.

Ian

[lynnma]

I think for me the centered tree is too centered... and it does'nt have enough of it'self to be... the center.. if you know what I mean.. I find myself looking past it to see those other misty little ones behind. For the tree to be the focus I think it needs to be more dramatic. I think the black and white conversion is quite nice.:dunno

[Mitchell]

Cut that thing down, I can't see the ocean :D

The solitary tree with a frame of trees is nice. Overall, I like this shot.
With regard to the PP, I feel that the tree is too dark given the rest of the
scene. For framing, I might pull back a bit to include the branches from
the other trees.

Ian
I agree with Ian. That tree is in my way. The glimps I can see of the trees in the mist is garnering all of my attention. A shot of just the trees in the mist (which look well exposed) would have been beautiful.

[lynnesite]

Thanks for your perceptive comments--perhaps I should have submitted it in color? Obviously won't change the framing (this is uncropped) issue.[Image Deleted]

Moderator Edit: Lynne, sorry to say that there's only one image post per week.

[DavidTO]

I had to delete a color version of Lynnesite's photo because the intent of The Whipping Post is that you put up one photo per week, and let that image stand as it is.

Hopefully, by doing that, you will get in-depth, detailed feedback on that image. That's what makes this forum different than the others. You're limited in what you can post so that you and your audience both have to think harder about the image, its qualities and its critique.

I know it may take some getting used to for all of us, but I really hope that by following the rules (http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=13428) of the forum, that we can all improve our critical eye.

And besides, all the other forums are available for posting multiple pictures for critique. Lynnesite is welcome to submit her color version there, if she wants. :)

[Gary Glass]

I think there's too much going on in the shot. You have a bold foreground tree, other trees framing, a dramatic background, and then undergrowth leading down to the tree. So, if it was me, I'd look at cropping out both the undergrowth and the framing trees. I think that might give you a much more dramatic and unified composition. Also, I'd play with filters and things to try to get the middle left branches to pop a little better. They're getting lost in the grey background trees. Basically, for me, the drama of the shot is silhouetting that foreground tree against the misty, layered background -- so eliminate everything else!