Luminance

Hi Bill -- this one is a little tough for me. Perhaps it is the conversion or maybe more likely the contrast, but the luminance and light you mention don't come across emphatically here. If you stick with B&W, maybe we you can push the dark a little darker and, especially, the brights a little brighter so that they are shimmering as you perhaps saw.

I have to qualify all that I've said with the fact that I'm using an uncalibrated laptop

Bill, really enjoy the intimate scenes, and you do them so well, excellent subject for B&W, really like the tones, detail, and all the different patterns throughout this little scene. Actually I just got back from the local preserve with somewhat the same thing in mind. Like this very much, good eye Bill.
John

Excellent rough wood detail in the larger version here, Bill. Looks like it has had some grooves and holes poked into it by a variety of worms, termites, and or woodpeckers over time. Let's just say it has a lot of "character" exposed to the world now.

I could also see a little more fiddling with contrast a bit as Navin mentions, I think the light and dark might see a bit more pop if pulled somewhat tighter there. Regardless, the structure is in place to fine tune as you might see fit overall......

Excellent tonalities in this image, Bill.

Bill, I think this made a really nice b&w image. I can see why you were thinking b&w when you shot this too. I especially enjoy the texture and fine detail in the large version. A could see trying a little more contrast to see how it looks but it works fine as is too.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

I love the composition and the texture, Bill. The contrast looks fine to me. I have looked at this several times, and I think where I'm having trouble is with the toning: I think it's a little strong. That's a minor nit for an otherwise nice image.

--P