Looking for a little help with a B&W

[Polar01]

This is a six shot pan size is 16x47, as a result of where the sun is to get effect on the marsh I wanted the far left corner falls a little dark. Did some dodge and burn looks better than then I first converted into B&W with Silver Efex Pro 2. Any thoughts

Cheers:

Allan

[dje]

Very nice image Allan. I like the wisps of mist amongst the trees(centre- right).

Dave

[AB26]

Allan, I cannot help with B&W. Donald and Phil are the experts.
What I can tell you is that this is a very good composition imho.
I really like it very much. The reflection in the water, the little bit of grass in the foreground the fact you did not cut the marsh on the left.
On my screen you need to add a tad of contrast but that is only my screen.

[Brownbear]

Hi Allan,

I think it is a gorgeous image for the composition and light and detail. I too, know little about B&W but when I look at your image I wonder what the foreground would look like if it were just a wee bit darker, ie; the bottom part of the reflection, middle grass and the water portion... not including the grass in the foreground.

[Donald]

Donald ... are the experts.

I wouldn't claim that. In fact to think so would terrify me!

On my monitor, I wondered if the highlights and upper midtones seem a bit bright, particularly in the section that is front of the first line of trees. What I mean is that there is quite a stark transition from the good dark tones in the top area(the background) to the quite bright areas in front of it.

If we think in terms of how the zone system is interpreted in the digital age, what we don't have is, I suggest, a smooth gradation with tonal 'steps' (e.g. 4 to 5, 5 to 6) alongside each other. The 'jumps' are greater.

I haven't taken this image into my computer to measure these, and what I've written is based on my eye-judgement only.

In terms of the subject and the composition - They are gorgeous.

[travis4567]

You're too modest Donald. I use your advice all the time.

[FlyingSquirrel]

Stunning work. The scene is incredible and you did a good job capturing it.

[dubaiphil]

I cannot help with B&W. Donald and Phil are the experts.

Hardly!

I love the image and would love to play with the original colour file. With the amount of bright whites in the final image it would look great printed on metallic or glossy paper. I would prefer to see a little more detail in the highlights but without seeing the original it's difficult to see how I'd pp things differently.

A lot of PP into B&W is an act of creative license - to give the viewer the impression of how you viewed and felt about the scene that you originally captured. The end result here is very calming and ethereal.

[Wavelength]

This is a winner !!!
Regards

[flashback]

I think it's a great example of why people shoot for B&W and why B&W can have such a strong emotional impact.
Strong work.

[Dave Humphries]

Hi Allan,

To my opinion (and that's all it is), I find whatever gradient you may have applied to darken the very top of the image is too strong, I believe the clouds and trees should be lighter in tone.

I am happy with everything else, very good image.

HTH,

[Mike Buckley]

Nice composition and mood!

I agree with Dave that the top row of trees is too dark. If you could bring out the detail of those trees, that would be ideal.

My experience is that reflections are at least as dark as the source. In this photo, it's the opposite so you might also want to attend to that.