B&W - Critique

[EDGE1]

Hi all,

I'm playing around with a new B&W editing technique that I found online. Painting in the exposure levels onto a greyish, low contrast image is supposed to result in a more powerful and interesting image.

I'm not sure if I like them. I went for drama, maybe too much? I'd love to get your feedback on these images. What am I doing wrong, what am I doing right? Please be honest, don't be afraid to "hurt my feelings". I want to learn.

The pictures were taken in Co-Galway Ireland at sunrise. I thought the shadows were stunning. I hope I have done the shots justice. I am however, prepared to start from scratch if need be.

Thanks in advance,
- Rob


1:

2:

3:

4:

5:

[Geoff F]

I suppose the real test is to process them again with 'normal' B&W procedures then compare side by side.

They certainly seem OK to me. Maybe I would slightly crop #1 and lose a fraction from the top and right side. And I think I would zap the buzzard in #3. I like the idea of having an ominous presence in the sky, but it isn't really working for me in that position.

[FootLoose]

The technique certainly seems to have worked on the first one, I like the treatment of that shot but I also think you need to compare the two techniques side-by-side, Rob. What would these images have looked like if you had processed them with your usual method?

Do you have a link to the tutorial you mentioned?

[John 2]

To my eye Rob, the highlights in 2 and 4 seem a bit forced but I think that's a matter of processing because the others look quite good. I particularly like 1 and 5.

[Shadowman]

Very nice. Possible the cast shadows don't agree with the time of day that would create such shades, which is what makes them quite interesting.

[nimitzbenedicto]

I like #3.
But perhaps, crop off the top and the right side.

HTH

[Andrew76]

Hey Rob, nice to see you back on the forum! I like the photos - great composition, and theme. I'm not totally sold on the conversion process. But I don't know why, so take that with a grain of salt!

It's hard to tell with the size of the images that you posted, but for some reason, on the monitors that I've viewed them on, they almost appear to be a little fuzzy - not like blurry - but actually fuzzy, like they're over sharpened, or there's too much contrast, or over 'structured'. But I can't put my finger on it.

Hope that helps you even a little.