Cherry Blossoms & Thomas Jefferson Memorial

[Mike Buckley]

I recently converted this image captured on color slide film in 2001. Most images of the cherry blossoms are presented in color, but I like this as much as the color version. Your thoughts about seeing this in B&W?

C&C encouraged, as always.

[ggt]

Beautiful. I'd love to see a version with the cherry blossoms in color (or a low opacity, just a hint of the pink) and the rest B&W. It's just be for interest. This is so very nice as it is!

ggt

[Mike Buckley]

That's a nice idea, Gretchen. I tend to enjoy straight B&W, sepia and other toned images, but I'm rarely attracted to a mixture of color and monochrome. Perhaps I should expand my taste to include other styles.

[HMW12]

Lovely. The blossoms almost look like they were shot in IR.

[jusoljoe]

Terrific shot Mike. I have seen a similar shot in color and unless memory fails me, I like this much better. You did a great job with the conversion! Good tonal range and contrast!
Joe

[Donald]

Thanks an excellent image, Mike. I've had it open at the larger size in the Lightbox and just looking at it for quite a few minutes. It becomes more impressive the more you study it.

[Bobobird]

This has to be one of the standout shots of the Memorial. Well done.

[redrew]

Superb, Mike.

[Mike Buckley]

It's great to know that you folks like this one so much. I captured it using a consumer-grade zoom lens that was made perhaps in the 1980s when zoom lenses weren't nearly as good as they are today. Perhaps I should go back to using inferior glass.

[Stinky]

Very nice!!

[terrib]

Mike, this is a beautiful image. I really wish you and Donald would quit tempting me to spend time learning how to do this! I need to focus! Seriously, this is one of those B&W photos that inspires. It really is special.

[Mike Buckley]

Thank you so much, Terri. When it comes to your own images, stick to color for a long while. Take one step at a time.

[loradora]

Lovely. It would be great in colour too. I love framing as it adds a new dimension to a scene. And adds depth too. So you get an idea of scale in the shot.

[Peterlongo]

I like this image very much. I would only add that the stems and shadows are too dark (blown out) and the blooms are just slightly blown out. The tree on the left of the memorial and the bush on the right side are blown out at the other end. But - as McKenzie remarks below - the image grows on you anyway.

[Mike Buckley]

Thanks so much for your attention to critiquing the details, Peter. I'm also glad that you like the image overall.

According to Nikon Capture NX2, there is no lost data in the image in the areas that you mention, though there is a tad loss of data in the left side of the top of the memorial. I do agree with you that there is lost detail of the stems and the blooms. I think the lost detail in the stems is due to the flat lighting, not due to being blown out so to speak. Similarly, there is some lost detail in the white blossoms for the same reason but I think that adds to the softness of the blossoms, which I think is attractive.