The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
I was visiting the Leadville Colorado area back in early June. Spring came late to this area, heavy snow in late May. On the day I was taking this image, it was the dreaded, high dynamic range , with a very bright midday sun. Perhaps I don’t have the skill to get the detail out of the sky, I tried my darnest, but to no avail. So I went for a B&W image and I got the detail I was looking for in the sky in post.
Specific Feedback
Thoughts on the B&W conversion, or should I have worked through the image in color.
Technical Details
Image taken with a Nikon Z8, 1/320 sec f/6.3 ISO 64 24-120 f/4 @ 30mm Edited in LR/PS/ Silver Efex.
I love editing B&W in DXO/Nik Collection/Silver Efex. The software offers a great selection of presets. I used a present to start with , but, then tweaked the image by adjusting whites, blacks, highlights, shadows, adding a film type. It’s quite versatile.
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
Gary, I usually prefer color, but this works perfectly in B&W. The old wood, stunning clouds, and muted grasses make a remarkable image.
Is there some kind of perspective tool that can be used to straighten the vertical lines of the buildings? I’ve never used it, but I think there is one in PS. I think that would improve this
B&W for me! It carry’s such nostalgia along with that - in fact, you may consider a little sepia toning to emphasize the historical aspect.
You did well with the exposure, DR, etc. Of course I wasn’t there and don’t know your positioning options, but am wondering if you had a broader view that features the buildings as accents to the landscape? Of course, a different story to be told I suppose.
FYI… normally we’re pretty easy going when it comes to nature images and the “hand of man” (clearly we don’t enforce very often…) but the general guideline is that if the primary subject (ie. the buildings) are the main subject, then the better gallery fit would be “Everything Else.”
I’ll leave for now and get your thoughts. Again, we have no intention of being nature police here, but this was mentioned as a potential move to the better gallery.
I’ll join the chorus and say the B&W works fabulously! Silver Efex certainly sprinkles magic dust on an image. But that said, I think you could work on improving the local contrast and texture in the color version to make it pop just as nicely.
It is difficult to think that the B&W image and the color one are the same shoot, and not only for the sky. Gary I can’t help but think that the darker clouds that sail low in the sky are still lowering and risk hitting the small house. I am impressionable? Also for me the B&W version is beautiful.
