Posted by Wayne Rhodus on January 14, 2009 at 10:54 PM
This prairie sentinel stands watch over the shortgrass prairie near Tallgrass Prairie National Reserve in Kansas. I'm not sure about this image so I thought I would share it and ask for your opinions. The only time I used my Vari-ND filter to date. Taken near mid-day.
5D, 24-70L @ 24, 1/100 @ f/16, ISO 400, vari-ND @ half power, crop 15%, convert to B/W
Really like it. Sometimes I like being out in the middle of the day. I heard Ansel took a lot of his great images in the middle of the day.
Posted by Tom Kennon on January 15, 2009 at 12:01 AM
Wayne, I think you did a great job on this. No way I would have know this was a mid day shot unless you have told us. It looks like you will be using that Vari -ND some more! The black and white conversion really works well for me.
Posted by Ed Cooley on January 15, 2009 at 12:47 AM
Nice separation and the clouds complete the composition nicely.
I like the image but why the Vari-ND along with ISO 400?
Posted by Tim Buchanan on January 15, 2009 at 8:37 AM
Nice B&W, Wayne - the sky balances the tree nicely. But I'm wondering the same question Ed voiced. What did the ND do for you in this shot?
Posted by Merle Cook on January 15, 2009 at 9:46 AM
Good capture Wayne. The B&W does this shot justice. The clouds make the composition complete. An empty sky just wouldn't have the same impact.
Posted by Wayne Rhodus on January 15, 2009 at 9:55 AM
You're now entering the twilight zone ... consider this.
It's the Kansas prairie, a steady wind is blowing and it's mid-day. Our photographer mounts a variable neutral density filter to his lens and sets it to half power, darkening the overall scene in an attempt to reduce the harsh mid-day light falling on the sky & grasses. But the wind is blowing so everything will be blurred. He sets the ISO to 400, trips the shutter and enters the Twilight Zone!
Epilogue: I realize that the use of a higher ISO and neutral density filter is counter intuitive but what the heck, I paid a lot for that sucker and I wanted to use it!
Posted by Brad Mangas on January 15, 2009 at 10:07 AM
I see no issues with this Wayne, it's a beautiful comp and the looks are right on. As a matter of fact being near mid day the shadow the tree creates imo adds to the overall look in a positive way.
I really haven't given b&w a fare shake since my more serious endeavors into my photography which I realize is a mistake. Some of the b&w images I have seen as of late are just beautiful. Such as this one. I'm not sure what to contribute it too. If it's just the processing of color digital via photoshop is better and/or more flexible, or I am just seeing imagery in a different way now.
Posted by Scott Bean on January 15, 2009 at 1:43 PM
This is beautiful IMO. I like the balance between the clouds on one side and the tree and clear sky on the other. I'm going to have to try shooting at midday for BW images.
Ok, I'm slow but I'm beginning to see a pattern here. If Ansel Adams took a lot of his B&W at midday and this picture, taken at midday, looks so good. Maybe I should go out at midday and look for B&W opportunities. Sounds good to me, especially since a good B&W is an exercise in working with contrast which is greatest at midday.
Posted by Bill Fach on January 15, 2009 at 5:47 PM
Wayne: I like the subject and comp as is. If I was going to nit I would like to see a bit more brightness in the clouds for more contrast in the sky. Nicely crafted image overall. >=))>
Discussion
13 replies5D, 24-70L @ 24, 1/100 @ f/16, ISO 400, vari-ND @ half power, crop 15%, convert to B/W
I like the image but why the Vari-ND along with ISO 400?
It's the Kansas prairie, a steady wind is blowing and it's mid-day. Our photographer mounts a variable neutral density filter to his lens and sets it to half power, darkening the overall scene in an attempt to reduce the harsh mid-day light falling on the sky & grasses. But the wind is blowing so everything will be blurred. He sets the ISO to 400, trips the shutter and enters the Twilight Zone!
Epilogue: I realize that the use of a higher ISO and neutral density filter is counter intuitive but what the heck, I paid a lot for that sucker and I wanted to use it!
I really haven't given b&w a fare shake since my more serious endeavors into my photography which I realize is a mistake. Some of the b&w images I have seen as of late are just beautiful. Such as this one. I'm not sure what to contribute it too. If it's just the processing of color digital via photoshop is better and/or more flexible, or I am just seeing imagery in a different way now.