BnW trials

[bnnrcn]

I'm working on BnW conversions to improve my skills. I would like to have your opinions about the three versions of the same image. Thanks in advance

[dje]

Second one for me Binnur, I like to be able to see the detail in the jetty.

Dave

[Rebel]

Second one for me as well, maybe add a little bit more contrast?

[John 2]

Second one for me as well Binnur but I think it is a little under exposed. My instinct would be to shift it a little to the right on the histogram.

[FootLoose]

I'll be the difficult one: I think somewhere between the first and second. I definitely prefer the first but the jetty loses detail about half way along but I find the first half of the jetty in the second version too bright. So, if you could generate a happy medium you would nail it for me, Binnur.

[DonnaK]

The second one brings out more of the details, but I agree that it needs to be brighter. The end of the pier needs more definition. I'm still learning B&W conversions, so I'm interested in this one.

[Mike Buckley]

The treatment you decide upon really depends on what you are trying to say. Which one(s) do you like and why? Is there something about some of them that you were trying to say but felt that you came up short?

[Shadowman]

1st image, pier looks vertical and overall shape one dimensional. 2nd and 3rd work very well, I like the tonal range of the second but the third has equal appeal. Nicely converted.

[bnnrcn]

Thanks to everyone for taking the time to look and comment. I can understand very well why most of you like #2 better because I forgot to tell you what I was after with my edits . When I saw Mike's comment it just banged on my head. Sorry about it, I have a cold and resting in bed , I think that's why I can't concantrate well.

For me #2 is the most ordinary one , because I was trying to emphasise the feeling of 'eternity' . I most like #3 with its pinkish tint and brighter treatment. IMO #1 conveys the feeling in a gloomy way. But I'm still not satified with #3 and #1, something seems missing to me.

[Mike Buckley]

The third one has a flat look that is very appealing to me. I think the reason the first one doesn't work for me is that my brain tells me that with such a bright sky the walkway should also be brighter. The second one works for me because it's a traditional concept that usually works.

For a very different but effective view, consider using a square crop at the bottom on all of them.

[IzzieK]

Hmmm...I'd like to contribute to the opinions already here but I am still in the verge of studying B/W. And there are a lot of options to take along that route for me yet...special effects for one is one option. Then there is the lowering of the saturation and of course the straight B/W conversion. ... not to mention using filters after PP...

[Daisy Mae]

Very surprising from me but no.3 all the way!

[Donald]

I think that we have to keep reminding ourselves that B & W photography is about line, shape, tone and texture. If an image has these elements in B & W, then it is likely to work well.

In the first of these we certainly have 'shape', but it is just a large, unattractive mass. There is no definition in it. In the second, that unattractive mass in converted into an object with line, shape, tone and texture. And, for me, the third version then kill the tone a texture. That is why I like the second version.

EDIT - And, just to show that taste is personal, I see that Sharon has just posted before me and given a different view. But she has a much more creative and artistic mind than I have.

[NorthernFocus]

As you know I'm no BnW person but will throw my opinion in anyway. After all, opinions are so heavy if carried around all day so they should be pushed off on others whenever possible

I like the second though perhaps with a slight bit more texture pulled out on the dock. I had no idea why I had that opinion but after reading Donald's post it seemed valid. So there you are

[Downrigger]

Thanks for these beauties and the interesting discussion your post provoked. It seems to me the third fulfills conditions for being described as "high key" with its histogram in the upper registers and its constrained contrast ratio. I like it very much - it works well for me in conveying a sense of space and awe. I think it makes the best use of the sky you had, also.

[Texas Dave]

#2 for me as well. Nice composition.

[bnnrcn]

Thanks again to everyone , I really appreciate your opinions

Mike- Thanks for reminding me that #2 is a 'traditional edit' not an 'ordinary edit' like I mentioned in my previous post. My brain really doesn't work properly today. So, I used the wrong word I think I might work on #3 a bit more to make the sky look a bit more dreamy .I will also try square crops to see how they work. I like the vertical crop with a lot of sky but square crop might also give another good composition.

Isabel- Thanks for looking. I recommend that you should learn different softwares thoroughly because they are really helpful for different editing purposes. I have spent a lot of time learning softwares and actually I'm still learning but now I feel much more comfortable about my edits.

Sharon- I'm suprised to see your encouraging comment, thank you, it means a lot to me

Donald- Your comment analyses the images in a very short and clear way and I think it is very useful not only for me but only for the other members.Thanks for that. #2 would be my pick too if I was after a traditional look in the image. I will be uploading some BnW images these days. I would be happy if you could have a look at them too.

Dan and David- Thanks for looking and commenting. I will keep #2 in my files too, because although I like #3 more because of the mood and high key look in the image , as far as I can see from the comments people also like #2 . So, if the image is liked , it deserves to be kept with me

Mark- Thanks for looking and commenting. I'm glad to hear that you liked the effect I was after. I find BnW images really interesting, because in a color image you don't have so many options to create different looks and different moods, but a BnW image is usually open to different edits. You can go 'high key', 'low key', 'contrasty' and so on , such a rich word!

[Mike Buckley]

Speaking of being "ordinary:" This type of scene with a wooden walkway extending over water has been photographed so often that it has become a bit of a cliché. The third treatment is creative enough and certainly valid enough that it is the most appealing to me because it is such an interesting interpretation of the otherwise ordinary scene.

[Barbara Ponder]

Binnur, I like #3 and I may sound crazy but it's the way the clouds almost form a human face that is forlorn looking.

[bnnrcn]

Thanks for looking and commenting Barbara. I haven't thought about the clouds in the way you have, but after reading your comment I have noticed it too

Binnur, I like #3 and I may sound crazy but it's the way the clouds almost form a human face that is forlorn looking.