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River Rocks

© Kristin Duff

River Rocks

Uploaded: October 12, 2012

Description

Exif: F Number: 20, Exposure Bias Value: 0.00, ExposureTime: 1/5 seconds, Flash: did not fire, compulsory flash mode, ISO: 100, White balance: Manual white balance, FocalLength: 100.00 mm, Model: Canon EOS REBEL T3i

Comments

Kristin Duff October 12, 2012

Dale's Monthly: I am finding BW a very challenging challenge. I have never shot in BW so please folks...be gentle! #1491934

Mario Rocafuerte level-classic October 12, 2012

A really beautiful image. Black & white photography, for me, is one of the most interesting and inspiring aspects of this art form we call our hobby and passion. Congratulations !!! #10367263

Stephen Shoff October 12, 2012

That's a really unique presentation. Is this capture really that over-exposed, or did you open the shadows that much in post-processing?

Either way, it worked very well. Nice composition. the clarity and DOF really work well. Depending on what's at the the opt of the frame, it might have been a little better to zoom out just a little so there is a little better border at the top. #10367299

Stephen Shoff October 12, 2012

...or maybe you are so far north that that is ice? Brrr.

typo correction..."depending on what's at the top of the frame". #10367328

Kristin Duff October 13, 2012

Stephen, the photo is over exposed and that was intentional...the light was reflected from a cliff. The top oft the frame was the river bank and somewhat of a distraction. #10367568

Kristin Duff October 13, 2012

Original River Rocks...and yes it was that blue...a technical problem I have yet to sort out.. #10367572

Kristin Duff October 13, 2012

oops- something has gone wrong here I have uploaded the wrong photo but I am due at the zoo in 30 minutes and will have to continue this tonight! #10367575

Elaine Hessler October 13, 2012

Hi-very nice composition with the diagonal arrangement of the rocks. Very pretty. I like the contrast of the second picture you posted. #10367598

Michael Kelly level-classic October 13, 2012

Interesting in going for an almost high key effect here. My personal preffernce is for a richer look, but if this was what you were after you seem to have brought it off well.

To get a richer look with stronger midtones I would lower the exposure 1/2 stop, lower the highlight, raise the shadows (without CS6 you may not be able to do the last so a levels adjustment of the left slider should work), and finaly adjust both the clarity and contrast sliders to taste. All this takes a little balancing so don't go to far with any particualr adjustment. Again, this is only if you are wanting any change. #10367743

Kristin Duff October 13, 2012

River rocks with prior to crop #10368205

Jeff E Jensen October 13, 2012

This is very interesting, Kristin. Mike has made some interesting suggestions, can't wait to see what you come up with. #10368250

Kristin Duff October 13, 2012

Well guys...I like the fact that this photo almost looks like a pencil drawing. I had others with stronger lighting but they were too harsh for my taste...that's why I chose this one. I don't think a day in the mountains(with beautiful light) was the best place for me to pursue Dale's challenge. and try as I could I could not find an uprooted tree trunk... #10368260

Teresa H. Hunt October 13, 2012

I love the composition of this one Kristin. The diagonal lines of the rocks is very interesting.

While I like your high key look, I'm interested in seeing Mike's suggestion. :) #10368267

Kristin Duff October 13, 2012

...this may seem really elementary to you but what is the difference between converting to grayscale as opposed to BW? Here is the same photo converted to BW as opposed to the one above which was to grayscale. I can see the difference but what does it mean? hope that makes sense... #10368287

Dale Hardin October 14, 2012

Kristin, you came up with a beauty for the challenge. I too like the diagonal comp and the sharp contrast between the sharp rocks and the very bright water.

It could be helped with a few tweaks but you don't need to get overly fancy. Just lower the highlights with the shadows/highlights tool, by about 10%. Then apply a high pass filter with an overlay blend, with the radias of the filter around 1.0 to 1.5. #10369244

Aimee C. Eisaman October 14, 2012

I'm liking the latest post the best and overall find these rocks a great subject material for a BW image. The lack of color forces the viewer to focus on the textures of the rocks and disregard the water that could be a distraction depending on the color. :~) I will leave tech answers for your question to some of the one well versed in that sort of thing. #10369399

Kristin Duff October 14, 2012

Dale's suggestions...not because I didn't like the others but because Dale's are the only ones I understand... :) thanks Dale! Is this what you mean? #10369451

Beth Spencer October 14, 2012

I like the last post the best. You have some great lines and composition going in this one. #10369645

Stephen Shoff October 14, 2012

The higher contrast suggestions work very well and including the top border doesn't seem like a distraction although I don't think it is necessary.

I can enjoy the uniqueness of a "pencil sketch" B&W image. I prefer images that don't look like photographs. So I'll keep my preference for your original post.

Both version would do well in your B&W portfolio. Each would draw its own clientele. #10369704

Elaine Hessler October 15, 2012

Nice job! It looks great. Dale, what does the high pass filter do? #10369974

Aimee C. Eisaman October 15, 2012

I like the second to the last shot posted, but think any of these that you choose will be nice...each just a little different is all! :~) #10370653

Teresa H. Hunt October 15, 2012

I'm with Aimee, I like the second to last post best. :) #10371194

Susan M. Reynolds level-addict October 17, 2012

Hi Kristin! I'm always a fan of a well placed diagonal...kudos on your POV. I like either of the last two. Dale's tweaks seemed to give it a tad more detail on the rocks if I remember right...and for the record Dale's suggestions pretty much always make sense! lol
I googled your question because I was curious too...here is the link I found than also made sense in terms of the difference between converting to gray scale (or for Peter 'grey' scale! ~ I hope you're healing quickly UP!!!)verses black & white:
http://allegoryphoto.wordpress.com/2011/03/13/gray-scale-vs-black-and-white-images-or-why-you-should-always-shoot-in-color/
At the end of a short blog post explaining it he gives examples of the original and converting it both ways and why one is usually better in the end result than the other...hope it helps! #10373393

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