Took this while on my fall trip last year. I don't do a whole lot of black and white conversions so I wanted to get you folk's feel about it. Does this look OK? Too dark? Not enough contrast? I was liking the way the sun was just poking though the clouds and hitting Mt. Sneffels.
Anyway, thanks for looking.
Posted by Paul Wegemann on January 21, 2008 at 9:15 PM
Matt, I really like this. I think by opening up the shadows a bit, enhancing contrast a bit, and some selective dodging and burning, you could really make this pop. Either way, a really nice image.
Posted by Paul Martin on January 21, 2008 at 9:42 PM
Matt, I also really like this a lot. I am personally a fan of dark shadows, so for me, I like it the way it is -- but maybe just a little lighter in the shadows would help open up the foreground a little. You are right on with the lighting though, it definitely makes the shot. I would certainly think this is a keeper though!
Posted by Nat Coalson on January 21, 2008 at 11:33 PM
I like the composition and the overall feel, but IMHO this could be made better in the digital darkroom. The dramatic lighting in this shot is great and could be brought out with some selective dodging (and maybe burning).
Try this:
Add an Adjustment Layer > Curves, and don't make any adjustments to the curve.
Change the Layer Blend Mode to Overlay. Overlay darkens the darks and lightens the lights; it's like a strong contrast curve.
Fill the layer mask with black or invert it from white.
With a large soft paintbrush, paint with white on the mask in the areas of the foreground that could use enhancement: the mid right, middle bottom, etc.
You could also try some different blend modes, screen etc. to see the effect.
Posted by Kalin Wilson on January 21, 2008 at 11:40 PM
Nice Matt!
I think a little stronger contrast on the peak will emphasize the light swath. Also, bringing out the aspens on the right-hand slope would add a lot. I'd also boost the contrast on the other lit slope on the left.
Nat's suggestion will help. You might also play with the mix of the color primaries in whatever tool you used.
You'll have a winner whatever you do!
Thanks for the advice everyone. I've made some adjustments based on your suggestions. The suggestion to use the overlay functionality was great Nat, I think that really improved the swath of light on the mountain and lightening up the foreground a little and the aspens on the right with another adjustment layer with a screen blend (as per your suggestion Kalin) really seems to make it pop a lot more.
I'm open to any and all suggestions still. Thanks again!!
Posted by Paul Martin on January 22, 2008 at 9:22 AM
I really dig the revised image, Matt -- it definitely has more pop. One thing I noticed that you might want to adjust is the cloud just right of the peak, it looks like it got lightened up a little from the original and might be a tad too light.
Posted by Kalin Wilson on January 22, 2008 at 10:03 AM
Great improvement! Lots of drama going on. Good job!
Posted by Jeff Hackett on January 22, 2008 at 9:28 PM
Nice re-work! I'm a fan of contrasty black and whites.
Posted by Paul Wegemann on January 23, 2008 at 5:55 PM
Discussion
11 repliesAnyway, thanks for looking.
Try this:
Add an Adjustment Layer > Curves, and don't make any adjustments to the curve.
Change the Layer Blend Mode to Overlay. Overlay darkens the darks and lightens the lights; it's like a strong contrast curve.
Fill the layer mask with black or invert it from white.
With a large soft paintbrush, paint with white on the mask in the areas of the foreground that could use enhancement: the mid right, middle bottom, etc.
You could also try some different blend modes, screen etc. to see the effect.
I think a little stronger contrast on the peak will emphasize the light swath. Also, bringing out the aspens on the right-hand slope would add a lot. I'd also boost the contrast on the other lit slope on the left.
Nat's suggestion will help. You might also play with the mix of the color primaries in whatever tool you used.
You'll have a winner whatever you do!
I'm open to any and all suggestions still. Thanks again!!