Canada wild rye

Gallery: LandscapePosted January 6, 2013153 views9 comments

This was taken in early December at a tall grass prairie near by. I'm fortunate to have such a place so close, it's called Nine Mile Prairie and it's one of the last remaing places in eastern Nebraska that has never seen a plow. It was used for ecological research by university biologists, it's small (240 acres) but is virgin prairie. The color version seemed pretty ho-hum. I kind of like it though as a BW image, certainly made it stronger and more dramatic.

D300s
70-300mm
ISO 200
98mm
1/250 @ f/11
HH
BW conversion-Silver Efex Pro

Comments appreciated.

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by John Clulow on January 6, 2013 at 8:36 AM

I really like the lines and formal contrasts in this, and as you have indicated, B&W tends to isolate that aspect. There are the straight lines in the stems against the curved heads of grain and there is definitely a bimodal dynamic range between hightlights and shadow from the extreme right side lighting, and finally there is an element of size and scale in the very fine, whispy threads on the heads against the much sturdier stems. A lot to look at!

Registered on November 1, 2012, 155 Posts, 1079 Comments

Comment posted by Nancy Lea Sandy on January 6, 2013 at 10:27 AM

the textures are delicious. The light on the awns (if that's the right word) is lovely. Nicely done

Registered on January 24, 2011, 576 Posts, 6942 Comments

Comment posted by R.Bill Moser on January 6, 2013 at 10:55 AM

Beuaitful light and well crafted image. Well processed, too. The black & white conversion really make this shine Well done.

Registered on January 29, 2010, 285 Posts, 4281 Comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on January 6, 2013 at 4:30 PM

Nice conversion to bring out the light and tones in this. Your comp organized the grasses really well, too.

Registered on May 7, 2007, 670 Posts, 19650 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on January 6, 2013 at 5:25 PM

John, I love your b/w conversion! This is really a wonderful image and I think your conversion was a great choice. I love the textures and feel of the larger version and it just comes alive. A must see IMO. Nice work!

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments

Comment posted by Vance Gese on January 6, 2013 at 8:22 PM

The luminosity of the seed pods really makes them glow, with your use of b/w. This works so very well. Nicely done.

Registered on November 13, 2008, 298 Posts, 6629 Comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on January 6, 2013 at 10:11 PM

Loveley. Excellent control of DOF to create some nice focus in the scene.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 364 Posts, 22328 Comments

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on January 7, 2013 at 12:07 AM

Wonderful B&W John. Excellnt clarity and contrast.

Registered on January 4, 2009, 1015 Posts, 13229 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on January 7, 2013 at 11:55 AM

This is very nice John. I really like the conversion and really like the highlights within the grass (except for the brightest one close to the right hand border - it could be toned down a little IMO). Very pretty composition too.

Registered on April 10, 2005, 753 Posts, 21216 Comments