The Dent Viaduct

[John 2]

Had this image for some time and didn't know what to do with it but going back to it, a squarer crop with some processing in SFX to compliment the subject and time of year seems to work. Counter proposals welcome.

Nikon D7000
1/320th Sec f6.3 ISO 250
18-200mm Nikkor


Alternatively, this version (Different Exposure) where I've tried to show how something a large as the train is dwarfed by its environment.

[deetheturk]

Two nice images John, I just prefer #2 as it has a bit more room at the top of the frame

[ST1]

Two nice images John, I just prefer #2 as it has a bit more room at the top of the frame

Ditto from me too, I can't help you with the B&W PP though sorry John.
But...if it were mine I would consider working the colour version using the technique shown at about 1hr:05min in this LINK to bring out the autumn colour.

[Donald]

I much prefer the composition of the second image (I think it's great), but I prefer the processing of the first.

I wonder if the 'Structure' and/or Contrast sliders in Silver Efex Pro 2 have been cranked up further in the second one? It feels to me as if there's so much structure applied that we're losing some of the distinguishing features of parts of the image. For example, that old stone building. If there was some structure applied to that via a 'Control Point' and much less or none to the ground around, then that building would 'pop' much more in the image.

Just some thoughts.

[Shadowman]

Nicely done, I like the second version for additional headspace and location of the train.

[ShaneS]

I agree with Donald on his PP comment but I would have put it differently. My initial thought before reading his comment was that the amount of detail in the background hillside was competing with the rest of the scene but he gave you a technical solution whereas I would have just pointed out the issue.

This is why we love Donald

[Donald]

This is why we love Donald

Aw, shucks!

[smcrews]

Nice shot. I prefer #2.

[bnnrcn]

I prefer the composition in #2 but the PP in #1, very nice scene

[Geoff F]

I suspect that the first scene is neither one thing nor the other. Possibly try cropping a fraction more from the bottom and a similar amount from the sides?

[John 2]

Thanks all for some very helpful comments. I've gone back to square one. Shane, I've put some recession in the background hills. Donald, I am a lazy so and so. I don't use control points enough and your right, the ruin in the FG needed to pop a bit more. Not sure whether it is quite right yet but I think that it is better. Geoff, Ive chosen a different crop. Your right, the original wasn't that comfortable. Improved ??

[Donald]

I am a lazy so and so. I don't use control points enough and your right,

That's when Silver Efex Pro really gets going as powerful tool.The only global adjustments I use on anything approaching a regular basis, are Soft Contrast and Dynamic Brightness. Everything else is done with Control Points: Sometimes lots and lots of Control Points. The control they give you is immense.

[Geoff F]

I was thinking about trying something like this for the first image, John.



Concentrating a little more on the train and less on the landscape.

[John 2]

Your right Donald. The temptation to rely on the standard pre sets is seductive but needs to be resisted.

Thanks Geoff, that's basically where I started but I really wanted to show how the moors dwarfed even something as substantial as the train. I need to go back and try again.

[TonyW]

To me, the background is much more attractive than the foreground. I would be tempted to take the image as in post no 11 and crop the bottom just at the top of the old building. If the texture of the building was different it might be worth keeping.

I don't know whether I am brave enough to suggest a colour version in this company. For years I travelled to school in a steam train - slow, smelly, dirty, gritty things. I don't always appreciate their old fashioned romance but a bit of colour helps.