Mildly Apocalyptic

[AndrewMcD]

Initially I was annoyed with the cooling tower on the horizon when I saw the pattern of posts in the bay. So working with what was there on a grey afternoon in the dying light I went for a mildly apocalyptic vision.
C&C solicited and appreciated.
Andrew

[mknittle]

I like it.

[Donald]

Andrew - You don't have a set of ND filters or a 10-stop or Singh Ray Vari?

As soon as I saw this I thought, 'long exposure' (to flatten out the water) and B & W. I think that could make a tremendous image ... with that same title.

[Mike Buckley]

Agreed with Donald.

[AndrewMcD]

Mark - Thank you.

Donald and Mike - I don't have any ND filters. After reading your comment I had to research their use. In fact, I didn't know what you were referring to initially when you mentioned the "10-stop or Singh Ray Vari." I think I understand now that the ND filter would allow a longer exposure by reducing the light and thus flattening the water. I can see that the flatter water would add to the image. I too thought B&W but with my very limited post processing experience I am somewhat leery of making a hash of a reasonable image in the conversion. I've not been much impressed with the presets for B&W in my Lightroom5 software. Should anybody be inclined to do the conversion I would love to see it.

Thanks for the comments as the learning process advances.

Andrew

[Wavelength]

Only if the smoke and chimney gets more visibility not to miss them.... otherwise i miss something
Regards

[Donald]

Should anybody be inclined to do the conversion I would love to see it.

Couldn't resist the challenge, Andrew.

A very quick conversion using the 'Film Noir 3' preset in Nik's Silver Efex Pro 2 software as the baseline.

Would still love to see it with that water smoothed out.

But, the good thing is that you've extended your knowledge base in terms of now knowing what ND filters are about. You may never want/need one, but you have learned a new technique for slowing down shutter speeds



I brightened up the timbers to get a bit more detail out of them, using the 'Control Points' feature that allows you to isolate particular bits of the picture and adjust that only. Took the 'structure' (a tool in Sliver Efex Pro) of the water in from of the timbers right back to '0' to try and flatten that area out a bit. And then put in 'structure' on the smoke from the chimney to bring it out a bit.

Ps - As you can see, you've got a dust-bunny up top right

[kap55]

Couldn't resist the challenge, Andrew.

A very quick conversion using the 'Film Noir 3' present in Nk's Silver Efex Pro 2 software as the baseline.

Would still love to see it with that water smoothed out.

Nice picture.

Normally a lurker, but decided to join the forum. I like a challenge too, so here's the water smoothed out along with some processing by ACDSee/Topaz. Unfortunately I'm not able to save the detail in the pilings.

Brian

[AndrewMcD]

Thank you to both Donald and Brian for taking the time to present some alternative versions; both very interesting and thought provoking.

Andrew