I'm wondering if anyone feels as though this image will work well printed to 16x20 in black and white? This is a very rough draft of the image, but if you folks feel as though it will work then I'm going to work on a high res version and have it printed for myself
This image was taken a few weeks back. I had set up about an hour before daylight in hopes of some good sunrise colors to reflect in the water. I didn't get it, but thought I would take the image anyway for my efforts. Yesterday I started to work it a little in B&W and I'm just wondering what people think.
I like it in Black and White. I would work on the bright area on the river as it interferes with the way the pools lead you into the photo. It is really an interesting photo.
I'd just crop off the top 1/4-- maybe more than 1.4 maybe the top 1/3rd!--- of the photo.... leave the background completely out. This is an outstanding B&W image other than the background.
Every one's vision is different..make this photo what you see.!!!!
JG
Posted by Robert Helms on July 9, 2006 at 12:32 AM
David thanks for your input. I'll take your suggestion into account as I work this image further. I'm not too sure how well I'll be able to tone down the bright spot, but I do agree about the distraction I'll give it a try.
Jack thanks also for your input. I, too, agree about the background. The only reason why I hadn't cropped it out was due to the way the trees in the center lean over the water and have good separation. I do not like the rest of the background outside of this.
I cropped it and like the cropped version just as much. However, I'm not too sure where to crop out the sides in ordet to keep the 4x5 ratio. I'll play around some more with it. If you have any more suggestions feel free to let me know. I have to be up at 5am for work so I need to get to bed so I will have to table this til tomorrow evening.
Robert - I like it very much as a b&w, and I prefer it *with* the background. I'd like to see a touch more detail in that area, particularly at the ends where it goes black. If you select those areas and bring up their tonality, you should be able to pull out some detail if the neg isn't completely clear. (Unless this is from a color transparency - then it probably does lack detail on film.)
Posted by Scott Hussey on July 9, 2006 at 11:24 AM
It looks pretty good to me, background and all. The lines from the stream and the shape of the rocks leads my eye from the top of the frame to the bottom. If there isn't anything at the top, then my eye just keeps going out fo the frame. The top corners look a little dark though.
Robert -
I really like this image. In a perfect world I, too, would like to see more detail in the upper corners and less of a highlight in the middle.
I wouldn't crop anything off the top...I think the trees add a moody feel to the image. They also help to draw my eye away from the hot spot in the water.
If I were to consider a crop I would try taking a little off the right side and maybe the left also. However, you may be restricted by the 4x5 aspect ratio you're after.
I like the image and the foreground details of the interestingly carved rocks. The right side of the image seems kind of flat, and busy. I agree with Jack's thoughs on cropping the top, to put the emphasis on the shapes and water and remove the busy, flat area. I like the leading light area of rock that exends from the bottom to the center of the frame. If you keep the entire image, I would darken the top right area of rock where it becomes busy. But them again, I am viewing this pretty small, once it is printed full size that opinion could change. . .
I just tried cropping the right 1/4 or so to remove the flat / uniteresting areas and I think that might be the way to go. The more I look at it, the better I like that crop. It causes the light area to lead towrds the right, top corner and sems pretty dynamic.
Danny- I can pull up a little more detail along the right side. The left side was where the light was coming from so it was in the deep shade to begin with. However, I just checked out the slide and I can easily make out some green and a tree on the left. It may require me to scan again to get it out, but I'll see what I can do. It was originally shot on Astia. I'm going to do a lot of b&w images and all will be shot on slide film and converted.
Scott- Thanks for your input and it seems everyone does feel the dark areas need some work.
Cindy - Thanks for your input as well. This was taken in IN. I've only been up to the UP one time and a few sunrise shots will be coming from there in the future once I scan them.
Mike - I left the top just for the reason you mentioned - it adds the mood. I feel it would still work without it though. Yes, the location is correct. I can see from your site you have been there as well.
Rob - you bring up some good points as well. I feel the image adds more power without the top and more mood with it.
Folks I greatly appreciate all the the responses. If anyone else has anything to add please continue to do so. What you will all realize in time is that I never like any of my own images. I feel they are ok, but never do they make me feel all warm inside. I'm just a little weird when it comes to my own stuff. However, I do hope you all like black and white. I have three or maybe four scanned just for this purpose. I feel black and white allows me for room for expression than my color work does.
Here's what I am going to do.
Work a complete final draft.
Bring up more detail in the corners.
The slide shows that in fact the bright spot in the water isn't so bright, that will be toned down
Then make the decision on the crop suggestions. Jack and Rob both make valid points. As I mentioned in my reply to Rob. I feel the background as the mood and without it the image has more power. I do not want to crop the right side to a point that it is left with jagged lines caused by part of a pattern being cropped out.
Then let the mood I am in at the time decide how I want would like to final image to make the viewer feel.
Here's the toughest part. Finding a place that can print the image very close to what I see on my monitor. My monitor is calibrated, but I'm sure working with my local lab on the print may make me feel as though it was all for nothing.
Thanks again, folks. I can't thank you all enough and I'm glad you like this.
Discussion
8 repliesThis image was taken a few weeks back. I had set up about an hour before daylight in hopes of some good sunrise colors to reflect in the water. I didn't get it, but thought I would take the image anyway for my efforts. Yesterday I started to work it a little in B&W and I'm just wondering what people think.
Thanks people
David
Every one's vision is different..make this photo what you see.!!!!
JG
Jack thanks also for your input. I, too, agree about the background. The only reason why I hadn't cropped it out was due to the way the trees in the center lean over the water and have good separation. I do not like the rest of the background outside of this.
I cropped it and like the cropped version just as much. However, I'm not too sure where to crop out the sides in ordet to keep the 4x5 ratio. I'll play around some more with it. If you have any more suggestions feel free to let me know. I have to be up at 5am for work so I need to get to bed so I will have to table this til tomorrow evening.
If anyone else has any input please let me know
I really like this image. In a perfect world I, too, would like to see more detail in the upper corners and less of a highlight in the middle.
I wouldn't crop anything off the top...I think the trees add a moody feel to the image. They also help to draw my eye away from the hot spot in the water.
If I were to consider a crop I would try taking a little off the right side and maybe the left also. However, you may be restricted by the 4x5 aspect ratio you're after.
This looks to me like Cataract Falls. Am I right?
Regards,
Mike
I like the image and the foreground details of the interestingly carved rocks. The right side of the image seems kind of flat, and busy. I agree with Jack's thoughs on cropping the top, to put the emphasis on the shapes and water and remove the busy, flat area. I like the leading light area of rock that exends from the bottom to the center of the frame. If you keep the entire image, I would darken the top right area of rock where it becomes busy. But them again, I am viewing this pretty small, once it is printed full size that opinion could change. . .
I just tried cropping the right 1/4 or so to remove the flat / uniteresting areas and I think that might be the way to go. The more I look at it, the better I like that crop. It causes the light area to lead towrds the right, top corner and sems pretty dynamic.
Scott- Thanks for your input and it seems everyone does feel the dark areas need some work.
Cindy - Thanks for your input as well. This was taken in IN. I've only been up to the UP one time and a few sunrise shots will be coming from there in the future once I scan them.
Mike - I left the top just for the reason you mentioned - it adds the mood. I feel it would still work without it though. Yes, the location is correct. I can see from your site you have been there as well.
Rob - you bring up some good points as well. I feel the image adds more power without the top and more mood with it.
Folks I greatly appreciate all the the responses. If anyone else has anything to add please continue to do so. What you will all realize in time is that I never like any of my own images. I feel they are ok, but never do they make me feel all warm inside. I'm just a little weird when it comes to my own stuff. However, I do hope you all like black and white. I have three or maybe four scanned just for this purpose. I feel black and white allows me for room for expression than my color work does.
Here's what I am going to do.
Work a complete final draft.
Bring up more detail in the corners.
The slide shows that in fact the bright spot in the water isn't so bright, that will be toned down
Then make the decision on the crop suggestions. Jack and Rob both make valid points. As I mentioned in my reply to Rob. I feel the background as the mood and without it the image has more power. I do not want to crop the right side to a point that it is left with jagged lines caused by part of a pattern being cropped out.
Then let the mood I am in at the time decide how I want would like to final image to make the viewer feel.
Here's the toughest part. Finding a place that can print the image very close to what I see on my monitor. My monitor is calibrated, but I'm sure working with my local lab on the print may make me feel as though it was all for nothing.
Thanks again, folks. I can't thank you all enough and I'm glad you like this.