My Journey into Black and White Continues

[dje]

These two shots were taken a while ago and processed in colour only. Since getting the Nik software package, I have been re-visiting some older shots looking for suitable B&W conversions. Both of these shots were processed in ColourEfex Pro (Detail Enhancer) and Silver Effex Pro. I'd appreciate your feedback please.

Dave

[Donald]

#1 - Yeh. Okay. Nice.

But ..................

Look at the light on those trees. Absolutely beautiful. And then the low contrast mid and background give it wonderful depth. The trees at each end of the frame 'book-end' it and provide us with a magnificent gap through which our eyes can travel into the distance. A really lovely image.

Welcome to the grey world, Dave!

[Digital]

Dave, very nice images. I like both equally well.



Bruce

[dje]

Thanks Donald, I thought of you after doing that conversion. Of course I didn't see the B&W potential when I took the shot but maybe one day I will.

And thanks Bruce

Dave

[FootLoose]

The second one is a standout, Dave.

[mstrozewski]

I like both as well but my eyes are drawn to #2 - Great capture!

[Stagecoach]

Dave,

No 2 for me, the light on the trees and the depth of the scene are superb.

[GeorgeM]

Number 2 for me!!

[dje]

Thanks Greg, Mavourneen, Grahame and George. I've always quite liked the second shot in colour but it made a big difference when I converted it to B&W and cropped most of the sky out. It was almost as if the colours, even though they were somewhat muted, were a distraction.

Dave

[TonyW]

I like these. They seem to have finally cured my prejudice against black and white.

[RockNGoalStar]

I love them both.

#1 is so moody and I think the whole scene is wonderful. Great composition. I would really like to see the same shot taken with a long exposure with a ND filter applied to flatten the water and really blur the clouds to the extreme. I know that isn't to everyone's taste, but I think it would work here with the jagged trees etc. Great job.

#2 for the comments above is superb. Love the composition, love the scene, love the mist and really love the light!

Bravo!

[dje]

I like these. They seem to have finally cured my prejudice against black and white.

Thanks Tony

B&W is probably a bit of an acquired taste, so to speak, but also the conversion technique can make a big difference. Silver Efex Pro seems to be highly regarded by many and I'm impressed with it too. It can be used to bring a B&W to life.

Dave

[dje]

I love them both.

#1 is so moody and I think the whole scene is wonderful. Great composition. I would really like to see the same shot taken with a long exposure with a ND filter applied to flatten the water and really blur the clouds to the extreme. I know that isn't to everyone's taste, but I think it would work here with the jagged trees etc. Great job.

#2 for the comments above is superb. Love the composition, love the scene, love the mist and really love the light!

Bravo!

Thanks Tommy, you're too kind !

I agree that flattened water would probably work well in the first image. I can see the time fast approaching when I can justify the expense of a Singhray variable ND. This shot was stitched from two images by the way and the colour was un-remarkable as it was what I would call a "lousy day" with quite a bit of rain around. But then you would be used to that

Dave