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Alpine Drama (+ repost)
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Alpine Drama (+ repost)

by Brian Schrayer

Gallery: LandscapePosted February 12, 20173,238 views6 comments
This is a shot that I took over the summer in Rocky Mountain National Park.  This is from Trail Ridge Road looking toward the Never Summer Range.  I really like the Never Summers in RMNP because of the dramatic peaks.  On this afternoon a storm system was moving through and brought some dramatic clouds. 

Thank you for your comments on my previous post.  As always all comments and critiques are welcome.  In particular, I am interested in hearing your thoughts on the processing as I don't do a lot of B&W images.

Capture Info:
70mm
f/8 @ 1/200 sec
ISO 100

Processing Info:
B&W conversion in Photoshop using Red Filter and selectively adjusting color channels
TK's luminosity masks (increase midtone contrast and bring up dark shadows)
Extensive luminosity painting to bring out contrast in clouds, mountains and foreground
Cropped to panoramic format

Comments

6 comments
Comment posted by Harley Goldman on February 12, 2017 at 6:14 PM
This is a nice high mountain scene. I am finding it a bit dark overall and a bit blocked up in the shadows. Not sure what red filter does in PS coversion, but maybe try a conversion without it, just work the color channels and work the contrast with curves or Tony's actions and compare results?
Registered on November 19, 2003, 586 Posts, 11271 Comments
Comment posted by Alberto Patiño on February 12, 2017 at 7:48 PM
I like dark photos, so this works for me. I see some slight haze throughout, hard to tell whether it was there or it resulted from your processing, but whatever it is I like it. I can see it as either actual haze after a storm, or as an "antique photo" look, and both work for me.
Registered on December 2, 2014, 278 Posts, 1736 Comments
Comment posted by Brian Schrayer on February 12, 2017 at 11:07 PM
Thanks, Harley.  I think I just got a little carried away with some of my luminosity painting in the original.  I was trying to create tonal separation, but I think I ended up darkening it too much. 

I brightened this overall, adjusted the black and white points using the levels adjustment and then tweaked some of the luminosity painting.  How does this look?
Registered on May 28, 2004, 114 Posts, 2890 Comments
Comment posted by Lon Overacker on February 13, 2017 at 2:53 PM
Brian,

A grand mountain landscape for sure with some good drama in the clouds to make this dynamic and engaging.

I make a note below about the difference in display between the posted and the larger view. In light of that, my comments are on the larger view only.

I think the large view of the repost is much better in terms of overall contrast.  I think the original comes across a bit flat and lacking in contrast.  I even think in the repost that the mountains and sky could use a little punch; the mountains still seem a little flat, even soft to me.  I'm no expert in b&w conversions, although I know there's a gazillion different ways to process and adjust.

I like the scene very much, just think it's needs a little something extra in terms of processing - I just don't know what to suggest.

Lon

PS: A side note for Jim and NPN... this is a good example of how the original 720px versions are NOT displayed the same as the larger views.  In both the original and the repost, the posted version is darker/flatter than the larger counter part.   They should all appear the same in terms of tonality, brightness, saturation, etc., but often they do not.
Registered on November 24, 2006, 521 Posts, 19147 Comments
Comment posted by gary phillips on February 13, 2017 at 9:53 PM
A big magestic B/W. Brian.  I think the repost is marginally better, concerning shadows and overall darkness.  I also agree with Lon, in that the peaks above the tree line lack definition.  You might try TK's tonal clarity action on the mid's back there.  You can play with the luminosity until it suits you.  I like dark images and big landscapes, so a bit more tweaking on this may well be worth it.
Registered on October 24, 2013, 185 Posts, 4136 Comments
Comment posted by Genny K. on February 16, 2017 at 3:57 PM
Lovely scene and a great comp.  It captures a great feeling of openness. The clouds especially add to this image.
I am on a laptop so I cannot get a good feel for the darks and lights, but it does feel just a bit dark, or maybe, as Lon said, it needs more contrast.  I almost wonder if the mid-range tones need to be lightened up a bit.  I can actually see detail in the dark trees, and that's on this laptop.
I don't do many B&W images, so I cannot help with the processing.  The few that I have done and printed I worked on over and over!!
I think the comp is good enough, and you have the range of tones and detail in there, that you may want to play with this a lot to get it just how you want it. 
Registered on June 5, 2006, 132 Posts, 2001 Comments