Three Takes on One Tree with BW Repost on Third

Image Critiques
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1

I played with the third image below and did two variations on a black and white conversion. I went pretty dark in the sky, as is my usual approach, but I’m interested in knowing if a lighter sky would work better and also whether it works better with the additional bit of rock to the left (showing scale of the rock) or simplified to the rock without its higher hump. This is in LR, using BW 06 and BW Orange Filter. I think it has a magenta cast, so I might start from scratch in Silver Efex if I stay enamored with the subject and composition.

Reposts
3.1 (less rock left edge, slightly lighter sky)

IMG5DMarkIV_0368NPN3MB-2
IMG5DMarkIV_0368NPN3MB-21500×1500 1.14 MB

3.2 (more rock left edge, darker sky)

IMG5DMarkIV_0368NPN3MB-3
IMG5DMarkIV_0368NPN3MB-31500×1500 1.16 MB

IMG5DMarkIV_0327NPN3MB.jpg
IMG5DMarkIV_0327NPN3MB.jpg1500×1071 914 KB

Original Three Images–Clearly the Third Was the Favorite

IMG5DMarkIV_0326NPN3MB.jpg
IMG5DMarkIV_0326NPN3MB.jpg1500×1071 1.31 MB

Different Focal Length, Cropped Less, in color

IMG5DMarkIV_0368NPN3MB.jpg
IMG5DMarkIV_0368NPN3MB.jpg1500×1500 1.87 MB

Flip Side Next Morning

Critique Style Requested: Standard

The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.

Description

I camped in Joshua Tree at Jumbo Rocks and had an array of interesting subjects right in my campsite. This tree captured my attention the first night, but it wasn’t until the next morning that I figured out how to simplify it.

Specific Feedback

I’m interested in several things:

  1. Given the time of day, light, and sky, is the black and white version more interesting?
  2. Do you think the flip side might be more interesting in black and white?
  3. Is the oof background a deal breaker in the first two? I wanted to emphasize the tree, but perhaps I needed to stop down a bit.
  4. Suggestions for cropping, processing? I’m open to all.

Technical Details

Canon 5DIV with 100-400mmL at 135 mm (black and white at f/10), 105mm (color at f/13)
with 24-105mm at 50mm (flip side at f/11)

Black and white processed in LR only (I usually use Silver Efex, but I’ve been impressed lately with LR)

2

Marylynne: Nice efforts all and in the first two the soft BG doesn’t bug me much but more DOF probably would work better for me. I’m also undecided about the intervening agaves(?) on the bottom. With regard to the flip side I really like this one for the comp and color contrast between the rock and sky and the wonder elicited by how this tree ever took root in the first place. I’ve never explored Joshua Tree so you’ve made me push it a bit higher on my wish list. Nicely done on all Three. >=))>

3

Marylynne, I would go with the third one. I like that the tree is seen in isolation and also, of the three, it is clear it is growing right out of the rock. I think this could work in black and white as a minimalistic type of shot. I played with this in PS and turning the sky white let the tree stand out and you can get get some nice texture in the rock.

4

Thanks for the feedback. I liked the third one better too, and considered doing a black and white conversion. I generally like dark skies in black and white, and I saw that it would not work well in this case, but heck, I can loosen up about my sky preferences. I’ll play with it a bit.
ML

6

Hi Marylynne, I like what you did with the black and white conversion and I think the darker sky works better than a white sky. I think I prefer the second rock in the image.

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7

Hi Marylynne, I like 3.2 more. I prefer a dark sky, this gives a nice contrast usually for the subject and the 2nd stone is adding interest on the base for me. I also like the color version, it is also almost two tone, minimalistic from the color side and scene.

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