Fort Erie

We took a family outing to Fort Erie on the weekend. I've been really wanting to shoot in a historical site. The first picture is one of my son Sean, he is 16 and is never far from his phone. I tried black and white (first real try at this) for this one and I loved the old door in the background with Sean leaning against it texting. C&C is always welcome.

http://i43.tinypic.com/52druh.jpg

The second shot was through a doorway, I caught one of the employees dressed in period costume. I loved the way the light was coming through the window to his left. Kind of like looking to the past. I don't like the white table in front of him but that was there for crowd control.

http://i41.tinypic.com/15s4o41.jpg

Thanks for viewing
Diane

Diane, I love the framing of shot #2 and love the texture of the brick wall but, I don't readily identify the man as wearing a period costume...

Here is another from that day.

http://i41.tinypic.com/5dphkk.jpg

Thanks
Diane

Hello Diane...nice to meet you!

I like photographers who 'push the envelope'. and you have certainly done that with your first shot. You have pumped up the light and contrast and have a very contemporary image that I am sure your son loves.

However..In doing so you have excluded most of the mid-tones and that has cost you detail in that beautiful door and that equally lovely son. His face and neck are bleached out and the overall result is quite harsh and flat.

I played a little with your image and it is a good shot that rewards a bit of work lowering the high contrast and definition. That brings out so much in terms of both tones and in seperating your son from the door..giving the shot depth. I wouldn't dream of posting it here as the image is yours and I don't have your permission to alter it and post....am happy to do so if you wish. ...or send you it in PM.

Sxxx

Thanks Sharon, I would love to see what you have done with Sean's picture. Feel free to post and play with it. I need to see what can be done so I can get better.

Thanks again.
Diane

This is what they call a 'Quick and Dirty' edit....much more can be done with this shot but I think ( hope) this shows that you can include the mid-tones but still come up with something Contemporary and with enough 'Edge' to keep a teenage 'dude' happy!

Always push things...there is a back button you can use but if you don't push...you never know what you might have stumbled upon.

Look forward to seeing more. :)


http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3703/9...c87c037a_c.jpg




If you want to do B&W convertions then you will love Niks Silver Effex Pro 2.

Thanks Sharon I love this even the mood has changed. I'm going back to the drawing board with this shot. Will try out the software as well. I will post when I have finished:)

Always keep in mind that only YOU know what you intended the shot to be and If I have changed the mood then you should ignore me and keep on pursuiing the look you were after.

It's your view on the world and that is unique and special.

Keep on shootin' girl!!! :D xxxx

Wonderful images... I like Daisy's edit a lot, and I adore image #3.

Thanks Christina, I really like #3 as well, he had so much character every time I turned around there he was, I finally asked him if I could take his picture. Sharon I've downloaded the free trial of Nik Silver Efex Pro 2 and I can see it is really user friendly. Here is what I came up with with my first try with the softwarehttp://i40.tinypic.com/jgtj0y.jpg

Diane

The shot of your son tells quite a story. I'm typically not a fan of mixing color and B/W (can't even recall the term) but that image would work in that format IMO.

Thanks Dan, I quickly combined the two to see the effect and it does emphasize texture. I'm kind of working against the clock this morning as I find I would rather be on the computer and not getting ready for work. Here is what the combination looks like.


http://i42.tinypic.com/2u61lvl.jpg


I wasn't sure if you meant to selectively colour. I personally prefer the black and white, I just feel something is lost in the colour.

Thanks
Diane

Personally, of the two choices, I like this color one more! The muted tones and the texture of the wood look wonderful in this shot!

Lovely images either way. The selective color option would be more dramatic if you son would have worn a bright red shirt. You'll have to coach him on that for future outings :)

Thanks Dan and Kim, I'm going back and forth now after looking at each one and after a few cups of coffee. I like how the combination brings out the texture of the wood. I really think this one does warrant a redo, so I'm going back to square one with it. I'll put up the finished product when I have reworked it. Thanks again!

I've tried a number of things with the picture of Sean and I've finally come up with something I am really happy with.
http://i40.tinypic.com/o0qq2r.jpg

Thanks for all the help!

Diane