Posted by Scott Bean on October 27, 2009 at 7:04 PM
This is a shot I took earlier this year at Castle Rock out in western Kansas. This is one of the few times when I've photographed specifically for photos to convert to black and white, something I'm still trying to get up to speed on.
What do you think about this shot? I can't decide if I like the foreground or not. Do the flowers add enough interest? Do they have enough contrast to stand out enough?
I think I could maybe do without the flowers. I can see this without them and the bottom cropped out to a 4:3 format.
Posted by Karla Hall on October 27, 2009 at 9:58 PM
I on the other hand like the flowers (probably a girl thing)! Nice BW. The texture is great and the sky looks spot on.
Posted by Bryan Simpson on October 27, 2009 at 11:05 PM
I kind of like the flowers as well, so maybe it's not a girl thing. They provide a contrast to the ruggedness of the mountains. With or without them, you've done a great job on the conversion.
Posted by Wayne Rhodus on October 28, 2009 at 8:20 AM
I really like this image for all it's visual elements Scott and think it has a great deal of potential. Compositionally the flowers add a strong element in this image so I prefer them.
With a good bit of selective dodging & burning I think you could add the contrast needed to really make this one shine. My take; burn the flowers & shadow some, dodge the lighter rock surrounding the flowers and burn the slightly darker diagonal area running through midframe. Add a touch of dodging to Castle Rock and I think you'll have the contrast you seek.
Just my $0.02 worth. I sure like this capture though!
Posted by John Moore on October 28, 2009 at 10:29 AM
Great composition and textures. I agree with Wayne that this could be improved with some contrast to make the elements stand out. My instant reaction to this shot was that Castle Rock did not stand out from the sky enough. I like the flowers.
Posted by Scott Bean on October 28, 2009 at 3:09 PM
Thanks for the input everyone! I've reworked the BW conversion to lighten up the rocks and add more contrast and also some selective dodging and burning. I also made a slight crop to get rid of some of the empty space on the lower left. I think this version has much better contrast and separation of the rocks from the sky.
The reworked version is definitely better. I like the flowers and think they are an interesting element in the FG. Great shot.
Posted by Karla Hall on October 28, 2009 at 9:00 PM
I like the rework better overall, but I think Castlerock is overdone..It's loosing it's detail on my screen...I would compromise between the 1st and 2nd one on the dodge. Just my thoughts
Posted by Bill Dark on October 28, 2009 at 9:11 PM
The second one is an improvement, and I have to agree with Karla's assessment of Castle Rock - just slightly overdone. What I love most about the flowers are the graceful shapes of those stems, and how they lead into the rock! Superb image, Scott.
Posted by Ken Bachman on October 28, 2009 at 11:08 PM
Scott, the more I look at it the more I like #2. I like the rocks better on the first one though, they look more natural.
Discussion
10 repliesWhat do you think about this shot? I can't decide if I like the foreground or not. Do the flowers add enough interest? Do they have enough contrast to stand out enough?
Thanks for your input!
With a good bit of selective dodging & burning I think you could add the contrast needed to really make this one shine. My take; burn the flowers & shadow some, dodge the lighter rock surrounding the flowers and burn the slightly darker diagonal area running through midframe. Add a touch of dodging to Castle Rock and I think you'll have the contrast you seek.
Just my $0.02 worth. I sure like this capture though!