Cauldron

Gallery: LandscapePosted October 19, 20162,834 views18 comments

This is a local picture from Tucson. Some clouds were bubbling away above the Catalina Mountains. I knew this needed to be in black and white when I shot it. I'm not always sure how far to push with monochrome, though. I'm trying to get a relatively high degree of drama here. Am wondering if the dark in the clouds should maybe be a bit darker.

Nikon D7200, 18-300 lens.

Comments

18 comments

Comment posted by Jim Gavin on October 20, 2016 at 2:34 AM

This certainly had a large "wow" factor. A mean, wild sky. It conjures up demons and things "that go bump in the night" and visions of a holiday coming soon. A bit darker in the darks may emphasize that look, but excellent as is.

Registered on August 14, 2008, 293 Posts, 1250 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Richter on October 20, 2016 at 6:38 AM

Tony, your composition and processing is spot on to my eye. The tonal range makes for a stunning three-dimensional aspect to me. I especially appreciate the emphasis on the sky.

Peter

Registered on November 10, 2010, 218 Posts, 2723 Comments

Comment posted by Michael Lowe on October 20, 2016 at 9:15 AM

Fine image and very apt title. I like the sky as is devil

Registered on February 11, 2004, 777 Posts, 5252 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on October 20, 2016 at 9:37 AM

That is an impressive sky, Tony. Perfect comp with just the right amount of mountains showing for my taste. The sky/clouds look and work wonderfully just as you have it. No need to go any darker in my opinion as it has all the drama it needs. Great shot and nice b&w processing.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI.

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

Comment posted by Harley Goldman on October 20, 2016 at 9:44 AM

Beautiful boiling sky!! Love the B&W treatment. I like this a lot.

Registered on November 19, 2003, 586 Posts, 11271 Comments

Comment posted by Craig Moreau on October 20, 2016 at 1:07 PM

Wow Tony! This just looks evil. I love it. I don't think I would go any darker in the clouds.

Registered on April 21, 2015, 64 Posts, 584 Comments

Comment posted by Mark James Ford on October 20, 2016 at 2:34 PM

Hi Tony - woooah now that is a good BW image! Stunning finish - wonderful composition! Leave the clouds as they are!

Registered on January 16, 2015, 60 Posts, 430 Comments

Comment posted by Albert Darmo on October 20, 2016 at 4:05 PM

Hi Tony

Agree with the others. perfectly captured tonal range, with a stunning dramatic effect devil

Albert Darmo
Canada

Registered on November 25, 2008, 1386 Posts, 11978 Comments

Comment posted by Igor Doncov on October 20, 2016 at 6:49 PM

An El Greco sky. This is different than what w've become accustomed to see from you. I wouldn't touch that sky one bit. It's perfect to my eye. After all - how can you improve on El Greco.

Registered on November 22, 2014, 189 Posts, 2733 Comments

Comment posted by Vance Gese on October 20, 2016 at 7:14 PM

Incredible tonal range in that sky, Tony, Really does looks like a swirling cauldron of tones. Don't see how this could be improved. Awe inspiring drama in my opinion.

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

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on October 21, 2016 at 7:40 AM

No darker Tony. This is perfect IMHO. Any darker and it would look unrealistic, while this is dramatic but believable. This is one of the best images you have ever posted, and that's saying a lot!!

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

Comment posted by Bill Fach on October 21, 2016 at 7:51 AM

Tony: Aptly titled and superbly composed and processed. Marvelous work. >=))>

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1805 Posts, 26981 Comments

Comment posted by Harry Lichtman on October 21, 2016 at 9:15 AM

Those are some dramatic clouds. I might try push the clarity a bit higher in the PS RAW module to get a bit more midtone contrast and definition in the clouds - might darken some areas but I think it would not be overdone. Sweet shot.

Registered on September 17, 2010, 304 Posts, 3507 Comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on October 21, 2016 at 3:39 PM

Excellent suggestion, Harry. I added clarity via High Pass at around a 30-pixels blur and restricted it to the light tones. Gave the clouds a nice boost in detail without looking sharp. Thank you!

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

Comment posted by gary phillips on October 21, 2016 at 5:30 PM

Just outstanding, Tony. B/W was absolutely the right choice and to my eye it is very near perfect. Love it.