Jasper Park: trying to decide on version

[tbob]

Trying to decide on which version is superior (if any!) Let me know what you think.

Comments and critique welcome and encouraged. Especially on the black and white as I am trying to develop an eye for it.

[Manfred M]

I think it's a bit of a toss up Trevor. Both images work well on their own, and really personal taste may be the deciding factor. I prefer the colour image by the narrowist of margins because it shows warmer lighting on the cold snow. That is something that the B&W version is missing.

[Mike Buckley]

I also have a difficult time choosing between the two images.

However, I believe both images can be significantly improved by minimizing or eliminating the haze. In both versions, altering the tone curve will do that. Alternatively, in the color version, you could increase the contrast, decrease the brightness and increase the warmth. In the monochrome version, converting using a yellow filter or at least a green filter that is close to the yellow part of the spectrum will also do it.

After doing that, I still have a difficult time choosing between the two images, though I would probably select the black-and-white version because I like that genre so much.

[bnnrcn]

Hi Trevor,I like them both.But I find them a bit pale and I think it is because of the haze like Mike says.You might need to improve them with PP.

[Wavelength]

Both are stunning; yet compelled to choose, i would rather be blissful with that golden hue....

[IzzieK]

Love the coloured one Trevor until I saw the B/W. Like that one too. It's a toss-up, so tails win: coloured for me!

[tbob]

Manfred,Mike and Binnur: Thanks for the suggestions. I will go back and institute the advice on processing. I want to keep the white from blowing out on the avalanche chutes. I will see what I can do with the somewhat limited tools in Aperture

[dabhand]

Trevor - agree with Mike's point and the fact they are pretty much equal, however I'd go for the mono version, not because it is a better 'landscape image' but because it better at indicating the geological structure which is of interest to me.

steve

[Kaye Leggett]

Definitely the colour. But I am a Brit currently used to grey skies and cold weather but not cold enough for snow - soI may just be jealous you've got what I would like.

[tbob]

Trevor - agree with Mike's point and the fact they are pretty much equal, however I'd go for the mono version, not because it is a better 'landscape image' but because it better at indicating the geological structure which is of interest to me.

steve

My wife explained to my seven year old grandson that these rocks used to be under a shallow sea then were bent, folded and pushed up by the forces of plate tectonics. He was amazed by the force needed to bend rock.

He asked how my wife knew this . I told him my wife had been there to see it happen. I fear her vengeance.

[ajsmith]

I like both versions, but prefer the color because I think it showcases the light more and I would follow Mike's instructions to cut the haze and really make the photos pop.

[Bobobird]

I was looking for a 5th option - throw away the photographer.

Colour version here.

[tbob]

I was looking for a 5th option - throw away the photographer.

A good workman never blames his tools. Which is why I blame mine.

[tbob]

As per instructions for improvement. I suspect this is what was meant.

[Mike Buckley]

Those revisions are so much nicer in my mind. Try taking the process even farther, to the point that it's too much for your taste. Then back off it. Perhaps you already did that, in which case just tell me to walk away from my keyboard.

[TonyW]

These are all nice but I would slightly prefer the coloured version except that to my eyes it would be better if the texture of the rocks along the bottom showed more as it did in the original monochrome version. Or is there something about the way I am looking at them?

[tbob]

Those revisions are so much nicer in my mind. Try taking the process even farther, to the point that it's too much for your taste. Then back off it. Perhaps you already did that, in which case just tell me to walk away from my keyboard.

I had the image exactly as I wanted it, then in the process of doing one final tweak I grabbed a spot on the curve just to the right of the one I wanted. As you probably know, this results in a kink in the curve and gives a hideous result. So I erased all the new control points confidant I could replicate the desires curve. I never could and finally gave up. This was the closest I could get. Thanks for the advice, it may not be perfect but it is an improvement.

[tbob]

These are all nice but I would slightly prefer the coloured version except that to my eyes it would be better if the texture of the rocks along the bottom showed more as it did in the original monochrome version. Or is there something about the way I am looking at them?

No you have a good eye. This is one of the problems i had in processing as Mike suggested. In the original version the trees (which is what i think you are referring to) at the base of the mountain were faintly more illuminated and a bit more red. Given the limited tools in Aperture I cannot work on a small area of the image. In order to darken the exposed rock on the face of the mountain I also darkened the trees. Seems to be no way around this and this was the best compromise .

[tbob]

Just after I typed the above reply to Tony and it suddenly hit me. I could use the dodge tool to subtly lighten the trees and not affect the mountain. I did this then slightly increased the midtone contrast and this is much closer to my intent.

[chauncey]

I would start with the original color and work to bring out more depth in the various crevices to give more of a 3D effect...it might require working at the pixel level. Once your satisfied, then convert, which may require different conversions to different parts of the image.