Posted by Phil Ellard on September 22, 2012 at 12:27 PM
Cheers for recent feedback, tried to take into account when converting this. Silver fx pro, level and curves, minor sharpening on rocks at front and cottage only.
As ever all C&C welcomed
Posted by Andy Shepherd on September 22, 2012 at 1:59 PM
This image has a real depth to it and works very well, Phil. I also think that the DOF is spot on, as I love how the graduated sharpness is working, from the sharp wall to the soft hills in the background. Very nicely converted too.
Andy...
Posted by John Robinson on September 22, 2012 at 6:18 PM
Hi Phil
Looked at dozens of pics of this cottage on Google and this should be up there with the best .( and there's some rubbish too !!)
Good stuff. Not my style but I like it.
JR
Posted by Bob Johnson on September 23, 2012 at 4:49 AM
Phil this is your best B&W image yet. It has great depth to it and the cottage detail works very well for me
Bob
Posted by Ian Haskell on September 23, 2012 at 6:36 AM
Hi Phil, would agree with Ian, an interesting shot, however it's the lightness of the RH BKG hills that jar a little for me, they look washed out with no depth, compared to the very contrasting FG, or even the LH hills?
Agree with Steve here... those right hand hills need a bit more contrast, it is fine for them to be a bit lighter as that adds some depth... My other minor nit is that the black clouds at the top I feel are too black and need just a bit more subtle treatment... That said it is a fine image that I would be pleased with...
Posted by Phil Ellard on September 23, 2012 at 12:48 PM
Cheers all for your comments ....
Steve: The RHS hills are a few miles behind the LHS hills, so little contrast is present there in the raw. I was careful not to add any as I was concerned it would take the depth away. Phil you could have something with the clouds i will have a look cheers
This works very well for me. It has great depth to it. Well done.
Posted by David Sewell on September 23, 2012 at 5:40 PM
My first reaction was the same as PhilH's, but easily dealt with and otherwise a cracking b&w conversion.
David
Posted by Barry Southon on September 24, 2012 at 9:35 AM
Phil
A first class image very interesting to read the comments and view of others a lone tutorial thanks for sharing.
Posted by Phil Ellard on September 24, 2012 at 11:57 AM
Cheers all, I have tried to redo based on your feedback. Just subtle changes as i do not feel it needs more than that. A small levels/curves on both the BRHS hills and sky, improved? as i previously said i was worried about over doing it and taking out the depth the BRHS hills should look further away than the LHS hills, hopefully they still do?
Posted by Bob Johnson on September 24, 2012 at 12:28 PM
As you say Phil just a little but it has certainly added to the drama of what was already a good image IMO
I'm probably just thick, but once again Phil I'm struggling with this. Firstly, I really like the image. The viewpoint, the use of foreground, the feeling of depth etc are all fabulous, but , and for me it is a big BUT........ the overall effect to me is unreal. It almost looks like the old posterized images we used to do when B/W printing. However, going by the favourable responses you have had so far you will probably be better off ignoring me
Posted by Phil Ellard on September 24, 2012 at 2:45 PM
No idea what to say Robert guess like everything it is all down to our own personal preference in the way we like our final images to look, good to know the basic comp etc... looks good as i have only being making an effort with landscape recently. (only bought my first camera in 2009) and really don't have much time to practice, so i really do appreciate all feedback as often i am doing things for the first time still
Phil, you are absolutely correct. Photography is all about personal preferences and long may it continue to be so. If we all liked the same thing it would be a poorer world.
By the way, my wife loves your image, stating that the effect is more dramatic than the real thing ...... so there you have it. She knows best (or so she keeps telling me )
Posted by Nick Mckeown on September 24, 2012 at 4:33 PM
I have to admit Phil I am not a big fan of B+W as it has to be used selectively IMHO but I think thisimage has a starkness and drama about it which I really do like. I have lived near Glencoe now for the last 9 years and have come to know the area in all its moods and believe me some can be vile but this has really captured the essence somehow and I would honestly part with cash for a print of this. I also prefer your first post by the way. If only they hadn't replaced the roof with the modern sheeting!
Hi Phil, what it could be is the way you have layer the image, what I mean is this:
The FG is very contrasty and might even be considered to sharp in the OP, but you have now soften it which does help. The cottage is very clean, with simple lines of structure, nicely defined/executed and for me, works the best in the conversion. The hills in the BKG are better in the RP, but I get the impression shafts of light are lighting them giving this 'jarring' feeling, especially with the impending threatening sky/FG layer. If this is just one of the options within NIKs with a little tweak in PS ie Curves/Levels then perhaps you may find that building the image up in three stages using NIK in different degrees may work better as you may have more control? Just a though, might be worth posting the colour too.
Posted by Phil Ellard on September 26, 2012 at 3:11 PM
Thanks Steve will have a play at the weekend see what happens, I don't like the colour images as is but will put some time in on that as well and see.
Discussion
18 repliesCheers for recent feedback, tried to take into account when converting this. Silver fx pro, level and curves, minor sharpening on rocks at front and cottage only.
As ever all C&C welcomed
This image has a real depth to it and works very well, Phil. I also think that the DOF is spot on, as I love how the graduated sharpness is working, from the sharp wall to the soft hills in the background. Very nicely converted too.
Andy...
Looked at dozens of pics of this cottage on Google and this should be up there with the best .( and there's some rubbish too !!)
Good stuff. Not my style but I like it.
JR
Bob
Ian
TFS
Steve
Steve: The RHS hills are a few miles behind the LHS hills, so little contrast is present there in the raw. I was careful not to add any as I was concerned it would take the depth away. Phil you could have something with the clouds i will have a look cheers
David
A first class image very interesting to read the comments and view of others a lone tutorial thanks for sharing.
Bob
By the way, my wife loves your image, stating that the effect is more dramatic than the real thing ...... so there you have it. She knows best (or so she keeps telling me
Nick.
The FG is very contrasty and might even be considered to sharp in the OP, but you have now soften it which does help. The cottage is very clean, with simple lines of structure, nicely defined/executed and for me, works the best in the conversion. The hills in the BKG are better in the RP, but I get the impression shafts of light are lighting them giving this 'jarring' feeling, especially with the impending threatening sky/FG layer. If this is just one of the options within NIKs with a little tweak in PS ie Curves/Levels then perhaps you may find that building the image up in three stages using NIK in different degrees may work better as you may have more control? Just a though, might be worth posting the colour too.
Nick, thank you i am taken back.
Cheers all