Teamwork 2

[Donald]

Back in early March I posted a picture (here) I'd made as a result of attending one of the many ploughing matches that take place around here. Ploughing competitions have now finished for the season (we're into spring here in the northern hemisphere), but will start up again in October.

Many of these matches feature teams of horses. If ever you needed an example of teamwork, this is it. The extent of understanding between man and horses was just awesome to watch and experience.

[IMG]140308 94 by DMacK Photography, on Flickr[/IMG]
40D, Sigma 120-400 F4.5-5.6 APO DG OS @ 251mm. ISO 800. 1/750f5.6.

[chauncey]

Alright Donald, it is an interesting scene but it's gotta be an old picture...we starting using tractors quite some time ago.

[Donald]

Alright Donald, it is an interesting scene but it's gotta be an old picture...we starting using tractors quite some time ago.

Tractors? Is that some sort of new-fangled mechanical thing?

[IzzieK]

It was a competition, William...remember that one? I will upload a B/W tractor especially for you...later.

Anyway, this is very nice, Donald. I am still learning B/W so can you please tell me what you used to PP this one?

[Donald]

I am still learning B/W so can you please tell me what you used to PP this one?

Izzie - I now use the Google/Nik Silver Efex Pro 2 (SEP) for B & W conversion work. Before discovering SEP, I did my B & W conversions using the GIMP, the free-to-use alternative to the Adobe suite of post processing tools.

I process my RAW files using DxO Optics. I then use Elements 11 purely as a mule to allow me use the NIK suite of software as Smart filters (so I can go back in and re-edit them if I ever choose to do so). I might do some work using Color Efex Pro and/or Viveza, before then opening up the file in Silver Efex Pro 2. My downsizing and output sharpening is still done with the GIMP software.

As you can see, I am a passionate believer in the notion that pressing the shutter is only the end of the first part of making an image. The second part is post-processing. I will often spend what many people probably consider an unacceptably long time in post processing. An hour or more is not at all unusual.

[Mike Buckley]

Great image, Donald. I love the framing the horses provide of the concentration displayed on the man's face.

[dedro]

Donald
Do we have a B&W tutorial in the forum? I believe it would benefit members (me) to have a solid guideline to follow when converting to B&W. Just a thought....Awesome image by the way.
Dedric

[kdoc856]

Beautifully composed, perfect timing, DoF is ideal. Any additional blurring of BG in PPing? Appears to have a subtle vignette/selective burning that further enhances. Really nice.

[Donald]

Do we have a B&W tutorial in the forum?

We do indeed. It's at - https://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tu...lack-white.htm. It's an excellent introduction to the fundamentals of B & W conversion.

[Donald]

Any additional blurring of BG in PPing? A

Kevin. No. This is as it came out. I'm not a fan of adding in blurring at the post-processing stage. I prefer to get that in camera.

You are correct in that there is a vignette there as well. I do like the subtle vignette that is not obviously apparent, but which does have an impact of the final appearance.

[kdoc856]

[QUOTE=Donald;406371] I'm not a fan of adding in blurring at the post-processing stage. I prefer to get that in camera.QUOTE]


I agree. I've tried it a bit, but haven't liked the results. The right lense and DoF do it far better than I've achieved after the fact.

[pnodrog]

Tractors? Is that some sort of new-fangled mechanical thing?

Unlike the camera you used these tractor things were at a guess invented before you were born. Then again maybe not....

P.S. I like how the farmer is peering around the horse to check on progress. Nice photo.

[John 2]

That's an excellent record Donald. Beautiful conversion and nicely caught with the driver (??) between the horses. Just very nice. The only thought I have is whether there is anything left at the bottom so that all of the horses hooves can be included?

[Scouse]

Wow! A blast from the past Donald. I'm probably one of the few here that remember those days as being the norm.

I love the shot and the composition. B&W evokes the feeling of that era.

As for pressing the shutter being the end.......... (Well that does it for me)...
I am starting to come around to light touches of PP though. Old dogs and all that.

Well done.
Ken

[dedro]

Thanks Donald

We do indeed. It's at - https://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tu...lack-white.htm. It's an excellent introduction to the fundamentals of B & W conversion.

[Shadowman]

Nicely captured.

[FootLoose]

Excellent work, Donald. The frame does seem a bit tight but combined with the vignette, it gives me the impression that I am looking through rustic window into yesteryear.

[IzzieK]

Donald...thank you for your response. I tried to order Nik Software yesterday after I got your message but the website for ordering gave me a warning that there is a problem with the security certificate as it was issued for a different website address. It also recommended me to close the webpage and not to continue with the website immediately so I wasn't able to buy it. I used the email us option to inform them. I will see what they say. In the meantime, I am continuing on working on my B/W tractor and upload it in another post.

[MrB]

Excellent work, Donald. The frame does seem a bit tight but combined with the vignette, it gives me the impression that I am looking through rustic window into yesteryear.

Agreed, but I would still like to see the horses' hooves and the rest of that curved thing on the right, Donald.

Cheers.
Philip

[Gigi71]

Wonderful and atmospheric expression of hard work and dependability.