Tired Momma Redux (B&W)

Interesting comparison between the two versions, John. In this one your high key processing really let her big yawn dominate the image. I think that works very well as it sets this view apart from the fine, but more conventional look of your earlier shot.

This works so well as a black and white. It surprised me, but when I looked at the larger version, all the lines of the fox's fur and the grass blend together and your eyes are drawn to the gorgeous white teeth and tongue. Very nice.

Nice conversion John, with good detail & clarity. Good tonal range too.

TFS
Steve

Hi John!
It works very well in B&W!
If this was mine, I would consider unsharpening the grasses near the whiskers!
Jagdeep Rajput

Thanks for the comments, Mark, Kathy, Steve and Jagdeep! I'm so glad you like it as well. I have to be careful because I could probably happily have Nikon strip all the colour info out of my sensors (i.e. big, big fan of black and white). My wife tries her best to keep me balanced on colour vs B&W and is fairly successful at it (for now).

Jagdeep, I sent you an email but in case it doesn't go through to you, do you mean literally apply a blur to the grasses around the fox's face? The only part of the image that has had any sharpening applied is a very light round to the face itself (I masked it back off the whiskers as well as those always seem to get crunchy with any amount of sharpening whatsoever). Thanks for your suggestion in any event!

HI John!
I've replied your mail. I just meant to blur out the grass blades near whiskers.
Jagdeep Rajput

Hey John,

I like the B&W treatment and processing here, but have to say that while I am just like everyone else and click away when an animal yawns, I usually don't end up really liking yawning photos (by that I mean I struggle with thinking what I'd ever do with them, aside from posting them here or working them in for humour in the occasional slideshow). At the end of the day I just don't find yawns aesthetically pleasing! But this is a real nice one!

I'm fine with the grasses near the snout - to me they add some visual interest. I think I'd like the shot even more if it was originally framed (or re-cropped, tho' I'm guessing you don't have the room) with less room on the left and more on the right. To me it feels a little (not a lot) like the fox's head is crowding the right side of the frame and consequently somewhat out of balance (to my eye).

I like B&W conversions (including the conversion process) myself...it can be very creative and engaging. But I am hoping Nikon DOESN'T strip out the colour info on future models - sometimes I kinda like colour too!

Cheers...

Brad

John, I find this to be a pleasing conversion. In terms of comp, I feel the out of focus backline does not contribute detail, therefore if you have the space, more on our right and less left would be preferable. In fact, I tried looking at it as a vertical with the ears+angle of open mouth pointing to respective corners and felt that is the way it had the most impact. Regardless, this is fine as posted.

Thanks again, everyone! I agree--it looks better with a tighter crop from left, top and bottom. I noticed the same thing re working as a vertical, Lon! Thanks for the suggestion (and confirming my own sense!).