Animas Forks - B&W

Colorado's ghost towns seem to lend themselves to black and white.

I like the idea here, but the upper part of the mid-ground tree on the left gets a little lost in the background of the slope. Actually, other than the remnants of the wood on the right and the dirt trail going up the slope on the left, I'm not sure this image is contrasty enough for the B&W treatment. Not sure others would agree with me, though...

I agree with Jeff. The scene needs lots more contrast to work in B&W.

Thanks for the critique. I see what you are saying. Perhaps some strong PS can work the contrast levels better.

Sal

I really like the composition you chose here.
More house and less landscape vista may have helped this become more successful in b&w. Also, the lack of strong contrast seems to be an issue in the background (top half) only and not the immediate foreground.

Can you post the color version?

I agree with the others' comments. Also, those handrails are new additions, not old, and look like it.

Animas Forks is really a neat place. Couldn't imagine living up there year-round like the old miners, though. They were a tough, hardy bunch!

What everyone else said re: composition for b/w. My eyes want to see more old building, and less distant hillside. I really like what's going on with the weatherbeaten house and the white flowers; I think adjusting curves or levels for more "pop" would also help the foreground.

Color might be a different story, but for b/w, the bright background distracts from the more interesting foreground. I wonder if this composition is actually more successful in color, come to think of it?

Erik

I agree with John that the background could use more contrast, but the foreground is fine.