The photographer has shared comprehensive information about their intent and creative vision for this image. Please examine the details and offer feedback on how they can most effectively realize their vision.
Self Critique
I think I tend to process my b&w images on the dark side. I like it that way, but does it come across too dark to you? I like the dark edges enhancing the light on the mountains in the back. I like the mix of clouds and fog. The sun was just rising, so the left side of the image is in shade, which made it a bit noisy in the original. In trying to lighten that a bit, I have ended up with some slight haloing along the tree’d ridge.
Creative direction
I just really wanted the image to pull the viewer in to the mountains and see what the light reveals. The reflection is not perfect, but really gives a peaceful vibe which is always important for me to have viewers feel. Its a dramatic scene, but I want it to sooth the viewer.
Specific Feedback
It might be hard to see the haloing at this resolution. Any hints on how to be rid of that? I used just Lightroom masking for this, which is likely my problem! I tend to want more of an emotional reaction to my images, since thats what I feel when out there and I want it to show through.
Technical Details
Nikon D850
Nikon 18-35 f/3.5-4.5
ISO 64, f/10, 1.6 seconds at 18mm
This is a single row pano of vertical images. I think it was 8 shots.
I processed this in Lightroom with a whole lot of masks. I sent it to Photoshop to warp the horizon straight and bloat the mountains in Liquify to make them look larger since the 18mm pano actually shrinks them a bit!
Description
Revelation
We do darkness an injustice when we associate it with malevolence. The relationship between light and shadow play an important role in creating the exquisite beauty we find in nature. When you draw a one-dimensional circle on paper, it is of very little interest until you add shading to create a sense of depth. When you use the edge of the lead to develop a gradient of black to white, you are using that tint to show where the light is and where it is not. The places between an object and its shadow fade to a fantastic blend of grays. Light reveals textures and dimension by creating shadows. It does that with color too. The in-between places, where shadow blends with color to create a palette of incredible hues, are where beauty is created. This works with something as large as the Grand Teton or as small as a blade of grass on its flanks. Perhaps darkness does more to reveal beauty than light does to create it.
Critique Template
Use of the template is optional, but it can help spark ideas.
It’s not too dark, IMO. It is dramatic, but in an understated way. The overall smooth textures in most of the frame contrast nicely with those pointy mountains. If you’re going for a soothing feel, you might consider a 16:9 crop, taking off the top, just to give it more of that calming, horizontal vibe.
As far as the light haloing around the trees, you can get rid of that in PS by using the clone tool, set to a low opacity (~20% is a good start). Select a point just outside the halo-ed part, then set the blend mode of the tool to darken and click along the halo. That will darken the light bits but not affect the trees. It should work like a charm here.
And you’re right, IMO, that LR doesn’t do as good a job of selecting luminosity ranges for masks as PS does.
Just outstanding Paul. What a great grand landscape. I love way the peaks, even though small, are a focal point of the clouds and the darker areas below. The way that left cloud arches over the mountains and the lighter sky is beautiful.
I think you’ve done really well with the darker mood of this. I do like a slight increase in contrast for the visible rocks in the foreground; just enough to know what they are (so a tiny adjustment). I’d keep the darks of the rest of the image though.
@Bonnie_Lampley’s tip for the haloing should work a treat, give it a whirl. It should knock out those pixelated bright spots on the edge of the trees (that are likely an artifact of downsizing?).
Regardless, this is a winner Paul. Print it and hang it.
This is a lovely, lovely black and white image. I like that you haven’t pushed the contrast but, instead, let the photograph speak for itself. The structure of the cloud and the way it dwarfs the mountains is truly awesome. This image really puts the “grand” back in grand landscape in way that feels authentic. Tiny, tiny nit - it feels like the horizon line is listing ever so slightly to the right.
By golly I think you’re right! I overlaid the crop grid on it and sure enough, it lists to the right ever so slightly! You’ve got a good eye. I’ll go back and fix that in my original. Thanks for that observation and for the kind words.
Hello Paul, this is a wonderful image! I use a similar B&W technique for much of my floral photography — low key with the light revealing details you want to bring to the viewer’s attention, . I think of it as seeing the “light at the end of the tunnel,” I’m glad that Kerry mentioned the tilt of the image — I noticed that also. I agree with Bonnie Lampley about trying a 16:9 crop. I find the foreground and excess sky a little distracting. The cloud coming from the left across toward the center is amazing. You had a perfect morning!
This is exquisite, Paul. I love the aspect ration that you’ve chosen and wouldn’t crop anything off but that’s just me. The tones seem very natural to my eye, something that is hard to pull off in black and white. Most edits seem to have harsher contrast but you really nailed this one. The light at the top of the snow capped peak and the dramatic clouds to the left are what make this grand landscape image so brilliant. You had terrific conditions and you were at the right place at the right time. If you are into printing, I would print this one up and showcase it. It really is superb. Congratulations.
Wow, Paul, this one is terrific. No, it’s not too dark. Removing the haloing around the trees would be good but that’s a flyspeck. I wouldn’t crop it.
Beautiful work, Paul. There’s this movement from left to right and from lower to upper in both the cloud, light, and the shape of the mountain. That makes things look almost distorted. I think that gives the image energy. That’s interesting because on the other hand this is a tranquil scene. I think this complexity makes this image. If this was a mountain reflection scene it would be more cliche. Nice job.
I agree with others, Paul, that this is not too dark. I like the dark sky and dark water. I initially thought maybe a crop off the top would be good, but it would have to be tiny to retain the impression of a nice, balanced vignette (sky, mountains, water) that draws our attention to the beautifully lit mountain.
I like John’s idea of increasing foreground contrast a bit, but no so much as to make it grab the eye too much.
I would pixel peep in the large resolution file to see whether working on the banding or haloing is worth while. It might just be a function of compression and not impact a big, maybe glassy or metal print.
Kudos on this and on your thinking about it. There is a lot to your description, and the English teacher in me wants to know if you want to develop that color theory just a tish more with its application to life as well as art.
Hi Paul,
This is very dramatic image and I love the moodiness you captured here. This looks like a tug of war between good and evil with the light on the mountain peaks and dark with the encroaching clouds. While I quite like this as is, it just looks a little muddy to me. I hope you do not mind, but I did a rework with a little more contrast to reinforce that mood and a crop of the top to emphasize that dramatic cloud. This is just my opinion of course and may not be your vision for this image. Anyway, this is very nicely done.
Thanks so much for that feedback. I do usually try to include a life application in a lot of what I write, but left it fairly vague in this one. I am going to go back and rework this image from scratch and put to use all the advice you and others have given.
Yea, that definitely works! It never bothers me when y’all do some edits to my shots. Lots of great learning happens that way. Thanks for your kind words!
