Baines’ Baobabs

[botspur]

Made famous by the painter and naturalist Thomas Baines who was the first to paint them during a two year long expedition between 1861 and 1863, Baines was travelling from the now Namibia to the Victoria Falls, he noted the precise date that he painted the Baobabs as 22 May 1862, since his watercolour was done almost 150 years ago the scene has barely changed. Another noticeable artist to paint the trees is Prince Charles. The giant trees dominate a small island on the edge of the open grassless Kudiakam Pan in Botswana.



And B&W conversion.



C&C most welcome

[PBelarge]

Clive
I really like the conversion. I wonder if you added a little clarity and possibly contrast how this would look (that is really towards my personal taste).

[Marty]

I love your mono conversion. I'll probably be lynched for suggesting this... but I'd be tempted to introduce some subtle dark vignetting into the sky, following the curve of the line of the tree tops. I also agree with Pierre that perhaps a bit more contrast might also help to enhance the drama of the trees.

[botspur]

Thanks Pierre and Marty, I have been struggling with B&W and your positive inputs make me look at things a bit differently. I will try the options suggested. I did have it a bit darker but lost a lot of detail in the tree on the left, but then it was a more dramatic effect.

[Geoff F]

Certainly a good camera angle here.

'Plain blue' skies can be a problem in B&W; but if the sky was any darker you would lose the contrast against those thin branches.

[Bobobird]

Excellent shots and pp.

I did something similar recently to an unknown tree.

[botspur]

Thanks Geoff, in Botswana we get plenty of clear blue skies and in photography that can be a problem.
Thanks Bobo, I'm not really into landscape but sometimes a scene cries out to be captured.

[sharonbaynham]

Is it possible for me to buy the image of Baines Baobabs, and if so, what size is it?

Kind regards
Sharon Baynham

[Shadowman]

Nice capture and conversion.

[bnnrcn]

I like them both but BnW would be my preference . I would like to see your further edits on the BnW if possible