Mount Fitz Roy

Cerro Fitzroy--one of my favorite mountains that I have not had the good fortune to visit. I do like what you've done here. The tones look fine, and I love the sky.

With regard to conversions of color to B&W: At least to me, if you like the results of the conversion, i.e. the image has a greater voice in B&W than in color and it makes you happy, then it's not a cop out at all. I have several color images, both digital and 4x5 that are much more expressive in B&W. In some instances, I have made the exposure with the express goal of converting to B&W.

--P

Andrew, if I ask myself that question, then my whole body of work would be a cop out. I look at every image I take with the idea of conversion. I actually feel some frustration at having an image that will not convert satisfactorily. I think this image works very well as a B&W. It has a beautiful range of tones and with a couple of adjustments I think you have a real winner. First, I would crop to just below the sketchy cloud TRM, and increase the detail in the foreground ridge. Keep in mind that if your end game is B&W, then plan accordingly and if you are in an exotic place, are the magic hours all that matter? Additionally, a large view would help in the critique.

It's an incredible view! Maybe a little more contrast. The sky mostly looks like it could be brought up some. Nice!

Chris

b/w love strong contrast. so good choice. really dig this

aF

I agree that nasty bit of dark cloud at the top is irritating I think I'll do a crop. Thanks for the advice. I'll also try to get some more contrast in the cloud.

Andrew - I made a similar image with some interesting clouds from this perspective and liked the BW conversion much better. It brings out the textures and forms much better than color. Jagged peaks contrast nicely with big flowing clouds. Regarding processing, I might try to work on level adjustment of the clouds to bring out the detail there a bit more. Looks like there isplenty of latitude to do it if you want.

Beautiful view and a classic B&W look. A cop out? Not in the slightest. Some images work in B&W, some in color, some in both and some neither. Just the nature of it.

Nope, I don't think it's a cop out at all. Some images just work better B/W, and if you didn't anticipate the B/W conversion while taking the photo then that's one lesson learned for next time. And learning new lessons is the whole point of photography (for me at least). Next time you'll recognize the poor color scene as a great B/W scene. Just my 2 cents....

And it's a stunning image!

Thanks and yes I have begun to realise what may work as a black and white whilst looking at an image in color. When I started shooting I used to waste 22 hours of the day as I waited patiently for the golden hours.

I think it's OK and this one really works! Lovely tones and textures. I might consider cropping just a little off the top so your eye just goes right to the peak. But still a very nice job.

Great shot Andrew and looks wonderful in B&W. A tinch off the top and print big. Well done.

Beautiful b/w conversion Andrew. I really like all of the different tones you captured here. I don't feel this is a cop out at all. B/w scenes tend to look best during the contrasty light during the middle of the day.

Why do you feel it's a cop-out to convert a bland color image? I've shot many bland subjects with the sole intention of converting to B&W. In this case it would be criminal to lose such a wonderful image simply because the color was bland. You simply made the most from an image - to me, that's what photography is all about.

This is simply beautiful IMHO.

Nice image and the B&W conversion works well here. You may consider increasing the overall brightness a bit (without loosing contrast!) and increasing the contrast in the clouds, but for the rest the image is fine!

Andrew, if you are deleting images that are this good then I want to pick through your garbage. This is a prime example of why everyone should take the whole "pre-visualization" concept of photography with a huge grain of salt ( and realize that its just a lot of photographer BS designed to make you think they are artistic geniuses). So many times I have taken images that didn't live up to what I was after, revisited them a few months later and had an OMG moment because I wasn't prejudiced by my original ideas of what the image should be. For that reason I seldom delete images right away.

I'd like to echo Chris's comments though; increase the overall brightness and you have a winner. There's some great detail in those clouds and whitening them and the snow up somewhat would really make this image pop.

I'll definitely re-process this one soon. My photo buddies think I'm mad for throwing away so many images and I must admit to kicking myself for throwing some excellent ones.