Garden Wall, Glacier NP

I'm starting to get the hang of using Nik Silver Efex Pro, thanks in large part to the great video tutorials on the Nik website. I probably could have saved some time and effort had I just watched them first and started playing with the plug-in second. Oh well, I'm a guy...try first, fail, then read instructions.

This image is the Garden Wall in Glacier NP as seen from the Highline Trail en route to the Granite Park Chalet. We've got 2 nights reserved at this backcountry lodge in July and I can't wait to get there! Until then, this is my latest creation w/ Silver Efex Pro.

Thanks for having a look and leaving a comment.

1Ds MKII, probably a 28-135mm lens, maybe a 2 stop GND

Very dramatic, Bret. It looks like it could use some sharpening as presented here. The fog laying below the ridge adds a lot to the image. Well done.

Great choice for b&w.
Fog in the midle ground really does help make this one so good.
Wouldn't mind seeing the peaks on the Wall brightened up a bit (grad line?).

Nicely done! I have to go along with John's comment about the wall brightened up.

Seen the color version, loved the color version. But this is an excellent choice for Nik treatment. Very drama-rific.

Wait a minute... this doesn't look like Moab!

I like the clouds and dark tones of this shot. Very moody mountains!

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone. I'll brighten up that wall a little bit. I think that will help the spotlighting become even more evident.

Anyone else think it needs additional sharpening? Looks good on my monitor.

Looks fine on mine, as well.

Nice shot. I'm actually partial to the dark ridge line. It looks like an intentional burn done to create a dramatic line.

Oooh, I like the drama! I agree on making it a little lighter but it's a great candidate for B&W!

Pretty dramatic shot Bret. It looks like it could use a little more sharpening but the biggest boost would be to brighten the whites and pull up the shadows slightly.

Thanks again for the comments. I don't see the sharpening issue at all. Interesting. I wonder if it's a monitor to monitor thing?

I'll be writing a review of Nik Silver Efex Pro on my blog late next week. Watch for it at http://www.bretedge.wordpress.com.

I like this one Bret. Looks sharp enough on my monitor. Maybe a little brighter as John mentioned, but not too much.

Beautiful image Bret, love that fog.

Nice atmospheric conditions for a B&W. I've got Nik Viveza which I like alot. I'll have to take a look at Silver Efex Pro. I'll check the blog.

Like it, Bret! I could see it a tad sharper, but I doubt I would have thought of it if others hadn't mentioned. The black silhouette of the top ridge is a little stark at first glance, but it's a nice juxtaposition with the more rounded, misty ridges lower down. I love the interlace, intertwining effect between clouds and sky here.

Next workshop I take with you I expect those clouds :) Looking forward to the Silver Efex write-up as I'm demoing to product.

Hey Bert,

I can't guarantee clouds at any of my workshops unless they're being co-led by the Cloud Man himself, Todd Caudle. Lucky for me Todd is joining me on two workshops this year and one of those is in the San Juans this autumn. Oh yeah!!!!

How do you like Silver Efex so far? If you haven't watched the tutorial videos on their website yet I highly recommend you carve out 1/2 an hour to watch all of them. Tremendously helpful.

Sweet conversion! It looks moody and foreboding.

Nice mix of tones--great job, Brett!

Looks pretty good Bret.

I think you could get away with a little more contrast (whiter whites and darker darks - sorry that sounds like a laundry commercial) but this is beautiful either way.