GSMNP in B&W

[Dixie]

I've haven't been on much lately because my wife had to have an operation on her shoulder resulting from an automobile accident she was in back in 2002. All went well, but since she really only has use of one arm, I've been housekeeper, nurse, cook and chief bottlewasher.

I have finally gotten around to playing with some of my Great Smoky Mountain National Park fall colors photos in B&W. Here are three of the ones I've done so far. Two were shown in an earlier post in color (http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=21542) and one is a new post.

My workflow was to convert from RAW, apply the nik Color EFEX Pro Brilliance/Warmth filter, nik B&W conversion, and then nik to Lighten center/Darken edges, and the final step is the unsharp mask.

My goal was to achieve as many tones of grey as I could in the hope of producing a B&W photo with "life" to it.

As always, your comments and suggestions are welcome.

Click on images for original EXIF info.

http://dixie.smugmug.com/photos/45920287-L.jpg (http://dixie.smugmug.com/photos/newexif.mg?ImageID=42286378)

http://dixie.smugmug.com/photos/45920777-L.jpg (http://dixie.smugmug.com/photos/newexif.mg?ImageID=42315286)

http://dixie.smugmug.com/photos/45920827-L.jpg (http://dixie.smugmug.com/photos/newexif.mg?ImageID=42324770)

Thanks for taking the time to look.

[DanielB]

My goal was to achieve as many tones of grey as I could in the hope of producing a B&W photo with "life" to it.

Click on images for original EXIF info.
http://dixie.smugmug.com/photos/45920777-L.jpg (http://dixie.smugmug.com/photos/newexif.mg?ImageID=42315286)absolutely love this one! i can see this one mounted on my wall. it would be a very dramatic *but time consuming* idea if all the leaves on the rocks were colored tho. that would really complete this image for me.


amazing photo:clap :clap :clap

[DanielB]

PM me the color version of #2 plz. :) i'd like to see it.

[Dixie]

Thanks Daniel. Actually the link to the earlier post of the first two photos in color was included in the post. Here is the link again.

Tipton Cabin, Cades Cove and the Turbine Grist Mill in front of the Reagan House on the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. (http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=21542)

[Mikko]

I really like numbers one and two. The haze is amazing in number one. You have also hit the tonal ranges from black to white. The detail is also all there in the highlight and shadows, which makes the pictures work.



Good Job....

[erich6]

These are great conversions Dixie!

The first shot is specially well done. The mood definitely changes. I like the color version too but the B&W is better.

Erich

[ginger_55]

Sorry re your wife, Dixie. I did note earlier that you are going to Florida and get some of those birds that seem to have all gone to Florida: Snow Birds, you know, smile.

I love your conversions. Mine aren't that hot lately unless the photo is just perfect for the conversion. What is "nik"? Please?

Yours are really nice!

ginger

[Ric Grupe]

I'd say you have the technique down very well. :clap

These are some of the better B&W photos I've seen as far as depth goes. Great subjects as well!

Stephan King would probably love to make this one into some nail-biting suspense!

http://dixie.smugmug.com/photos/45920287-M.jpg

With the deep shadows on the porch and the forest looming ever closer.....a definite recipe for doom! :D

[davev]

Hey Dixie. I hope the wife is feeling better.

As much as like B&W shots, and you did a great job converting them, the color
shots are better. Of course I like the color green, there are some that don't.

That first pic with the old house/shack with the moss/mold growing everywere
is great.

Sometimes converting to B&W helps tell the story.
On these two shots, I think the color versions have a lot more to say.

[Dixie]

I really like numbers one and two. The haze is amazing in number one. You have also hit the tonal ranges from black to white. The detail is also all there in the highlight and shadows, which makes the pictures work.



Good Job....
Thanks Mikko. Your comments are appreciated.

[Dixie]

Sorry re your wife, Dixie. I did note earlier that you are going to Florida and get some of those birds that seem to have all gone to Florida: Snow Birds, you know, smile.

I love your conversions. Mine aren't that hot lately unless the photo is just perfect for the conversion. What is "nik"? Please?

Yours are really nice!

gingerThanks Ginger. My wife is doing fine. She is still in some pain, but that's normal after shoulder surgery.

Here is the info on nik Color Efex Pro 2 (http://www.nikmultimedia.com/colorefexpro/usa/entry.php).

I have the nik Color Efex Pro 2 Complete Edition.

[Dixie]

Erich, Ric and Davey - thanks for your comments.

I actually didn't make the B&Ws as an either/or choice. I am putting together a DVD video of some of my photography of the Great Smoky Mountain NP and I made the B&Ws to do fades into color. So far it is looking pretty good, but of course, that's my biased opinion. :):

[iceman17]

These are truley works of art.The first one leads my eye along the path onto the step,I like it the best.The last one is priceless.Heck they are all great and work so well in B&W.Old buildings are one of my favorite subjects,thanks for showing us these....ice :thumb :clap :thumb :clap :thumb :clap

[Dixie]

Thanks Ice. I have already posted the first two in color. Here is the third photo in color for comparision.

Click on image for EXIF info.

http://dixie.smugmug.com/photos/46388277-M.jpg (http://dixie.smugmug.com/photos/newexif.mg?ImageID=42324770)