Architecture in black and white

[Marie Hass]

Two from today.

Please comment, critique.

Which do you like better? Is there a better?

Composition - I think I lke #2 better. I am not one for straight-on square, as is #1, but there were no other options. In fact, #1 is a vertical pano, 2 images, stuck together.

Conversion? I think I like #1 better for that. It just seems "crisper". #2 is gritty, which was my intent, but....

1. Wetzel County Courthouse, New Martinsville, WV


2. New Martinsville Grocery Coop Depot


I struggle in picking images for the sole purpose of knowing they will be perfect in black and white. Please tell me how I did.

Marie

[Digital]

Marie, both are nice images. I do like #1 better.



Bruce

[Shadowman]

I like the 1st as it displays the complete structure. The 2nd is fine as a display of patterns or lines.

[FootLoose]

Marie, the first shot is so large that when I clicked on the first one to view it in litebox, the only part I could see was the clock tower and sections of two of the spires. And, I thought that made a really great shot!

[deetheturk]

Marie,well done,i like both, but #1 just steals it!

David

[IzzieK]

I like both Marie...each has different story to show if one needs to know...beautiful execution. What software did you use to PP these.........very nice...you should pick one to put in the competition...

[Marie Hass]

Isabel, Thank you. I used CS5, Nik filters - Silver and Color Effex Pro, plus a bit of Levels in both.

Bruce, John, Greg and David. Thank you. Your comments are valued, especially when I get out of my comfort zone a bit.

Marie

[leslie1283]

Marie,

Both are very nice but I prefer #1.

[John 2]

You did well - to answer your question. One thought I would add is that bright sunlight isn't the best for architecture. It is too contrasty (e.g. the left side of the statue plinth) but you have made a good job here.

[bnnrcn]

I like #1 more,#2 is nice though

[Marie Hass]

Leslie, John and Binnur, thank you for commenting. John, I would have preferred a cloudy day, but Mother Nature, in her contrariness, gave me none. I agree that it is a bit contrasty, but I did try to preserve the detail in the more sun-lit areas.

Marie

[Marie Hass]

In the meantime, someone identified what bothered me about the second image. So, what do you think of these?

1.


2.


Marie

[dabhand]

Two from today...............

I struggle in picking images for the sole purpose of knowing they will be perfect in black and white. Please tell me how I did.

Marie

Marie,

One tip which may help you assess the potential of an image for B/W - If your camera allows you to capture Raw and JPEG images simultaneously and it also has a 'mono creative effect', by selecting RAW+JPG you will then have a mono image in your viewfinder / LCD and a RAW file which will of course still retain all the colour data.

Dependent on your camera the B/W image may just be a flat desaturate or a more dynamic conversion - either which way, with a bit of practice you'll get to know the limitations of the in camera processing and be able to judge accordingly.

If you go ahead with the image, the JPG will give you a monochrome shot you can refer to when you PP the Raw file.

The above works equally well for any in camera special effects which allow JPG plus RAW to be shot.

Hope this helps.

steve

[Kaye Leggett]

one tip Donald gave me earlier in the year (or was it last year..) was to think black and white whilst you're shooting, it absolutely works....

BTW, I like no 1 best

[Kaye Leggett]

one tip Donald gave me earlier in the year (or was it last year..) was to think black and white whilst you're shooting, it absolutely works....

BTW, I like no 1 best

[kateveber]

Marie,well done,i like both, but #1 just steals it!

David

I do agree with you David. That's 'cause of the full photo captured by the Marie Hass.

[IzzieK]

I love #1 best, Marie, of this second lot...absolutely fitting for a B/W...

Kaye...that is a very good advice from Donald...maybe we should all think that way and shoot away then there is comparison later in the colour version.

[flashback]

Marie,
Both are very good shots. #1 is good for its treatment of the interesting architectural components but overall, I think it fails somewhere along the lines of keeping a viewers interest. The image is very good, I just think the subject lacks enough visual interest to capture my attention, to want to explore the image. Maybe a tighter crop?
#2 is my favorite and I like your latter two crops. Of these two new images, my thought would have been to crop tighter on the right and include the window (just shy of the electric panel on the was). There is something about the two doors and window that I find much more captivating.
That being said, your moving the larger double doors and eliminating the window presents another unique image that is also very compelling; the relationship between the two, differently-sized, pairs of doors.
I think you last two are much more interesting images overall .

[Marie Hass]

I am sorry it took me so long to get back.

Steve, I had no idea I might be able to do that with the 7d. I will give it a go.

Kaye, Kate and Isabel, thank you. Yes, Donald is one of the ultimate B&W gurus. His advice is certainly valid.

Jack, thank you for your commentary. I agree that #1 fails to hold - I know - my attention. #2 had lots of potential in all thirds.

Marie