Path to Emergence

Here is the B&W version of the image I posted over in ES&S. I'm thinking I like this version, although it still needs some tweaking. I stumble upon this lone tree on this hill with the "paths" of grass leading up to eat while out shooting other subjects last weekend. It started raining that day and I knew I had to go back! Wednesday was the perfect day which I took my two young sons with me and had to yell a couple times for them to keep running so they'd stay out of frame, well I did get a couple with some fuzzy things running through it

Here is one with without.

Honest critiques please


Canon 5D
16 - 35 II @ 20mm
1/60, F 11, ISO 50
Moose Warming Polarizer, SR 3 Stop Soft ND filter
USM, Selective Saturation / Luminosity in CS3
B&W conversion in CS3 too

I like how the B+W shows the path a bit more defined, and I like how the color contrasts in the other one. At the moment I think I like the color best, but they both make me think.

Although I think this may need some additional contrast, it's very nice. I'm not sure which I prefer. The light in the color version looks better than in this one, and, if you are trying to show the "emergence" of spring, I think the color better conveys the message.

I think the B&W has much more visual impact than the color version. Great image! I really like the bright glow below the clouds. My only nit is the very dark sky at the extreme top of the image. It adds drama but looks unnatural.

I'm putting in a vote for the b&w aside from the dark ULC that Ken already eluded to. The "grass paths" are still evident in the b&w and you lose the brown/dead look of the other grass in the color version. Good eye to recognize the opportunity that many, myself included, would probably just drive right by.

I agree the B&W, with a little more contrast, is the most interesting.

I like the idea, but I also agree that it could use some more work. I'd like to see some more tonal separation in the foreground, a bit more density in the brightest highlight, the dark ULC corrected, and the lower corners burned in a touch. The B&W version has the potential to be more dramatic than the color version (good depending on your preferences), but I actually liked the color version quite a bit as well. Nice composition!

I like this image a lot, Mitch. I'm curious what is creating the situation that is making these grasses grow only in this strip. Is it drainage, soil composition, or some other factor? I found a similar image the other day where one could track the drainage of a creek through the woods just by following the bright green of skunk cabbage leaves.

Good find, Mitch! I think I prefer the color version, but this one also works very well.

Very nice Mitch, I love this one, this has a very powerful feel to it that I don't get with the color version. Well done !!