One of the key goals for my recent trip to the Oregon Coast was to see and work in Black and White. I have wanted to get back to that focus for a while now, and this was a great opportunity. One morning the conditions were perfect–overcast with some definition in the clouds. I spent some time shooting individual or small groups of sea stacks. There are so many in Bandon that it’s sometimes hard to isolate them. I had set my camera to a B&W profile so I could see a representation of what I might get. I purposely kept to a mostly classic B&W portrait style with plenty of room for the sea stacks to breathe in the frame.
Back in post, I wanted to present the images in a more formal B&W style with highlights and shadows accentuated and a strong vignette. Hopefully I was successful.
Outstanding! I’m with anyone who might think this is up there with your best.
So simple, yet so bold. I was almost immediately had Edward Weston come to mind. Now I’m not a great historian, but I do recall some things… and of course the classic “pepper” and his still lifes come to mind. This is just like a seascape still life. Made simple by allowing the ocean to level out on the long exposure. And the tonal range, contrasts in the rock…
Wow, this I would consider an incredible work of Fine Art.
Wouldn’t change a dang thing. Congrats David. This is most impressive.
Lon
Actually I think the vignette is perfect and certainly not strong at all!
Hi David,
I think you achieved your objectives with this image. I love the silky sky and the textured rock. The bright spot in the sky helps to define the sea stack. It’s a really lovely black and white image.
If I were to suggest anything, it might be to play with the brighter textured area on the sea stack about a 1//3 of the way down from its point. Maybe it’s me, but there is texture/line that resembles a capital R on its side, and once you see it, it grabs the eye each time. I’m kind of funny about things in images that look like something specific not associated with the image (a face in the water, a letter on a rock). Unless the point is “hey look at this water with a face on it,” I prefer to reduce that impression somehow.
Here it could be done with a little burning or a few carefully selected heal/content aware replacement moves. IF that’s something you’re open to, of course. The rock clearly has this shape in its texture, and maybe I’m unusual in finding it distracting. It probably comes from years of reading student papers and looking for anomalies or things that don’t fit.
Regardless of your decisions on that minor nit, this is a really captivating image, with wonderful sky, water, and rock textures. I could look at this for hours.
ML
David, this image really works for me all around. The simplicity of the surrounding BG & FG and the actual structure is perfect for your choice of B&W. I’m always a big fan of any isolated geological formation such as this stellar pinnacle. Excellent work here…
I see it too now. @David_Bostock , something I would mitigate if going to print. I think a quick selection and burning/painting on that marking would do the trick.
I don’t find the vignette strong at all. I have to look hard to actually find it but it’s perfect. This is so funny because I was minutes away from posting the same image I took this summer when I saw this come across. This is superb and I wouldn’t change anything. You have much better rock definition than I have as mine was at sunset and backlit. I love the long exposure and the cloud of water around the base of the “Hat.” Sensational image, David.
I can’t give you a detailed B&W critique like others who know B&W, but I can say I like this image a lot. It took me some time to find the R on it’s side, but then I couldn’t unsee it. You did a nice job of covering it up. In my eyes, you were successful at a formal B&W style. Nice job.
Simply beautiful David. You nailed it. I like the edited version just a smidge more…it seems to have a bit more depth and character. So great to be with you when you captured this shot!
John, thank you so much. This was the main reason I wanted to join you and the rest for the Bandon event. I am really pleased that this image turned out.
I just returned from my first trip to the Oregon coast. I can’t wait to return!
I like the contrast between the sharpness of the sea stack and the smooth texture in the water and the clouds. This presentation emphasizes the shape and forms more than the literal scene.
This is a wonderful black and white photograph. I think the simple composition works well and conveys a beautiful elegance. The wave motion around the base of the sea stack is great for setting it apart from the surroundings, and I think the texture in the rocks and waves works well. Well done!
It took me a while to actually see it. I’ll post a fix above.
You did a nice job of covering it up. In my eyes, you were successful at a formal B&W style. Nice job.