not too many thoughts on that, very enjoyable.
it's fun to check out some of the "not so convincing shots" in b&w, I begin to do that more often also.
however I never dared to print one and probably will never dare to show a print to one of the b&w gurus... I like b&w a lot but find it hard to define a certain taste, other than "make it look like an ansel adams"... (who is actually not such a great idol of mine - photographically spoken)
few days ago I downloaded your e-book and it is really, really well done. too bad it's just an ebook and not a real one - I would definitely be a buyer, nothing beats well crafted LF images printed nicely! but books like this one become rare and rarer these days and you will probably have to find a more saleable subject other than banning sp, to convince a publisher into printing one. (nowadays it's the marketing guys who have the saying...) but who knows...
If I'll find some time off the next few days (time off - my major problem...), I might be able to write more detailed comments on the images, as they definitely deserve a long look. (it would be MUCH easier with a real book...) The overall level of those fine and well seen and composed images of a special location and throughout the seasons is up there with the best of the pack and I would really urge you to keep it up and start working on the next project...
All the Best from Vienna / Austria
Georg
Posted by Chuck Beatty on February 10, 2009 at 7:41 PM
This is a gorgeous image, Joel. The comp pulls me right into the falls. The reflection of the waterfall gives this a mystical feel. How many seconds on the exposure?
Looks like the texture of the rock and water comes out in the b&w. I'll take your word for the color not working. I like this one but I like about everything you have posted.
Posted by Ken Bachofer on February 10, 2009 at 9:11 PM
Beautiful, Joel, as usual. I especially like the difference in dynamic between the stillness of the pool and the sweep of the current in the foreground.
Posted by David Taylor on February 11, 2009 at 12:53 AM
Absolutely gorgeous (get it... gorge - ouse... sorry, my humor has taken a real fall lately, get it... fall... Ok, I'll shut up). This is one of my favorite locations. Love your b&w treatment here, great composition, and handling of the contrast. My eyes, of course go right to the main falls, following the water down and through the middle ground water "froth" and then out the bottom in the blurred flow area. Very nice. I'd love to see this printed big! I love living in Alaska, but Northern Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan are pretty hard to match.
Posted by Philip Schwarz on February 11, 2009 at 2:13 PM
Definitely a keeper in B&W. I might be tempted to try a little more contrast. I like the way the eye flows down through the photo.
Posted by Neven Dries on February 11, 2009 at 4:22 PM
Great picture as it is! But have you thouht about trying a sepia tone for this?
Posted by Mitch Erwin on February 11, 2009 at 4:24 PM
Joel, I don't recall seeing the color rendition of this anyway, but I'm in the early stages of Alzheimers I think This capture is really well done, the b & w treatment - well you couldn't get any better. The depth really draws me to the falls!
Posted by Brian Vance on February 11, 2009 at 4:41 PM
This is a gorgeous scene. The tonal range is exceptional and compelling. The composition is dynamic. The quality of light on the rocks is over the top, and leaves me wondering how you pulled this off? I personally like a slight crop off the top, to keep the falls and surrounding rocks dynamic.
Thanks for the comments - they're greatly appreciated. I'll try and respond to a few of them.
Georg - Thanks for your thoughts on both the process and on my ebook. I'm honored that you took a look at it and I really appreciate your very gracious comments. I agree 100% regarding the marketing aspects you mentioned. Clearly I didn't create the project with any real buisness intentions in mind, but I will probably aim for something more marketable next time around. The Banning SP ebook was my first attempt at a "project", and it was a good excercize. Thanks again, I'm a big fan of both Verena and your work!
Chuck - I'm not sure how long the exposure was. I typically don't take notes, as I prefer to just indulge in the moment. It was multiple seconds for sure, but I don't recall the exact number.
David - Yeah, northern Minnesota is very nice, but it's tough to compete with the sheer grandeur of Alaska! Thanks.
Phil - I probably would add a bit more contrast in a print, I actually reduced it a touch for the web though since the white background seems to amplify contrast oftentimes.
Neven - This is actually slightly warm toned in the midtones through the highlights. I tend to prefer more subtle toning, but sepia might be worth a try. I'm sure it'd give it a different vibe.
Mitch - You're not going crazy. I've never posted the color version.
Brian - Thanks, but I'm not quite sure what to tell you. It was really a very straight forward shot - probably why I didn't really fall in love with the color original. Thanks for the compliments, your thoughts and suggestion.
Posted by Toni Lankerd on February 12, 2009 at 9:57 AM
This is fantastic, Joel! There are a lot of times when images work better in B&W than color and I'm betting that you did the right thing here by converting this one!
This is outstanding, Joel...one of my favorites of the images you've posted in this gallery that I've seen...and that's really saying something, believe me.
Posted by Darren Huski on February 13, 2009 at 6:31 AM
Joel-
What? Not Banning?
Another nice image. I cannot say what it looked like in color but it does look good in B+W. You have a nice "S" curve in the water flow and that always makes a good foundation for an image. As usual, you have the right lens and the right amount of foreground and background. You have a great eye for finding the right scenes and putting it into that 4x5 frame.
Discussion
15 repliesTechs: Tachihara 4x5, Fujinon 90mm, Fuji Provia 100f
it's fun to check out some of the "not so convincing shots" in b&w, I begin to do that more often also.
however I never dared to print one and probably will never dare to show a print to one of the b&w gurus... I like b&w a lot but find it hard to define a certain taste, other than "make it look like an ansel adams"... (who is actually not such a great idol of mine - photographically spoken)
few days ago I downloaded your e-book and it is really, really well done. too bad it's just an ebook and not a real one - I would definitely be a buyer, nothing beats well crafted LF images printed nicely! but books like this one become rare and rarer these days and you will probably have to find a more saleable subject other than banning sp, to convince a publisher into printing one. (nowadays it's the marketing guys who have the saying...
If I'll find some time off the next few days (time off - my major problem...), I might be able to write more detailed comments on the images, as they definitely deserve a long look. (it would be MUCH easier with a real book...) The overall level of those fine and well seen and composed images of a special location and throughout the seasons is up there with the best of the pack and I would really urge you to keep it up and start working on the next project...
All the Best from Vienna / Austria
Georg
Georg - Thanks for your thoughts on both the process and on my ebook. I'm honored that you took a look at it and I really appreciate your very gracious comments. I agree 100% regarding the marketing aspects you mentioned. Clearly I didn't create the project with any real buisness intentions in mind, but I will probably aim for something more marketable next time around. The Banning SP ebook was my first attempt at a "project", and it was a good excercize. Thanks again, I'm a big fan of both Verena and your work!
Chuck - I'm not sure how long the exposure was. I typically don't take notes, as I prefer to just indulge in the moment. It was multiple seconds for sure, but I don't recall the exact number.
David - Yeah, northern Minnesota is very nice, but it's tough to compete with the sheer grandeur of Alaska! Thanks.
Phil - I probably would add a bit more contrast in a print, I actually reduced it a touch for the web though since the white background seems to amplify contrast oftentimes.
Neven - This is actually slightly warm toned in the midtones through the highlights. I tend to prefer more subtle toning, but sepia might be worth a try. I'm sure it'd give it a different vibe.
Mitch - You're not going crazy. I've never posted the color version.
Brian - Thanks, but I'm not quite sure what to tell you. It was really a very straight forward shot - probably why I didn't really fall in love with the color original. Thanks for the compliments, your thoughts and suggestion.
CJ
What? Not Banning?
Another nice image. I cannot say what it looked like in color but it does look good in B+W. You have a nice "S" curve in the water flow and that always makes a good foundation for an image. As usual, you have the right lens and the right amount of foreground and background. You have a great eye for finding the right scenes and putting it into that 4x5 frame.