Tunnel View B&W

Well, I finally decided to scan one of the images from that cold and rainy day at Tunnel View a few weeks ago. Like I mentioned in the other post, I said it was a bust - well, this is the best of the lot. I've done very little b&w conversions, but this scene called out for it. In this case I used a couple of curves layers with Tony Kuyper's luminosity masks and also did some luminosity painting to try and separate the fog from the valley walls. I didn't spend a whole lot of time on this one 'cause it's not going any farther than this post, but wanted to share anyway.

I think it's a little dark. What do you think?

Thanks!
Lon

Don't be so hard on yourself Lon, this is really nice. Usually we see the full tunnel view, or a portrait of el Cap or Halfdome from up there.. this is a great and fresh composition. The fog is lovely, and that one tree really makes the image for me; it balances the waterfall perfectly. I'm on my laptop, so I can't accurately judge the darkness, but it looks pretty darn good to me. I seriously like this one - don't stow it away in the drawer!

btw - when do the redbuds generally start blooming in the valley and the foothills? And do you know of any particularly good spots to check them out?

It is a little dark but I think it has a lot of potential. The scene is very moody with the cloud and fog and I love the comp (it is one I like to shoot when HD is not out as the full view can sometimes be a bit boring). Open it up a bit more and add some contrast to the clouds and you have a winner.

Never having done any B/W, I'm not an astute critic of it.
Nevertheless, I like this, Lon.

Lon, you know I have never done any B&W, film or conversions. With that all said, you are right about the need to convert as the lighting pretty much demanded that. Although a bit dark, I think that is OK, but to me it seems a bit flat. Again, as I have no idea about B&W it is a swag on my part to increase contrast? or one of those switches in PS.
I really do like this composition as it is.

Not a bad effort Lon, I like it a lot. Personally I'm not sure I would have stood around in the rain all day for it, but nonetheless it's a lovely image

Lon,
You're killing me on this one. It has a wonderful composition with a cool feel to it that really expresses winter conditions. The mists and that one single tree standing out in the FG make this a very pleasing B&W image. Best Regards.

I like the way this image is divided up... both in terms of tones and general shapes. I like how that lone tree and the falls pull my eye down from those high contrast peaks. That mixture of elements makes for a very nice balance. I'd push the contrast of the bottom half even more if it were mine (using a gradient mask), but this works very well as presented too. Nice take on an often photographed scene.

I like that composition. The lone tree sticking out make it interresting. IF you work the waterfall a little you might decide to keep it in the porfolio.

This is a very nice image with a lot of potential. I think the image is flat. I'm not sure I see any pure white. I'm a contrast lover when doing B&W In the darkroom, I loved using either the number 3 filter (sometimes 4) for MC paper or a straight 3 paper. It is also a bit dark, like you said.

Rodney
www.naturalimages.com

I like the comp a lot, but it needs a little pop. Maybe bring in the white point on the fog? And maybe on the snow too?

This has a lot of nice qualities to it. I don't think it's too dark at all, but I would like to see it with a little more contrast. And, if possible with the shadows on the bottom opened up a bit.

- Dan.

I like it Lon. the mood is exceptional. maybe if you could bring out the waterfall a bit more contrasty then the rest of the image. nevertheless, a very moody shot.

Very well done to take advantage of the dreary conditions.